1. The Blessing of the Advent Wreath

1

The Blessing of the The Blessing of the Advent Wreath Advent Wreath

9

The Scripture verses in Advent: A Family Celebration are taken from the daily Mass readings for each day of Advent. According to the Church’s liturgical calendar, the weekday Advent readings are always the same, no matter what the year. But there are three Sunday cycles (A, B, and C), with corresponding readings for each cycle. To determine which Sunday cycle to use, see the chart on the opposite page.

On the first Sunday of Advent, say one of the blessings suggested here and light the first candle of your Advent wreath. Then begin the readings designated for the first Sunday of Advent. On the following day, Monday, begin with the weekday readings for the first week of Advent. The next Sunday, read the reflections for the second week of Advent, and the next day, go to the weekday readings for the second week of Advent.

Proceed in the same manner until you reach the second part of Advent, which begins on December 17. At that point until Christmas Day, follow the calendar dates rather than the days of the week to find the appropriate Mass reading and reflection. (These are included in the reflections for the fourth week of Advent.)

Be on the lookout for the special feast days that fall in Advent: the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30); the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8); and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12). When your family prays on these days, skip the weekday reading and go instead to Chapter 4, which has readings for that feast day. The next day, return to the regular weekday reading for that day of the week.

10| The Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Here are the Sunday cycles to use based on the calendar year:

Advent 2004 –Year A Advent 2005 – Year B Advent 2006 – Year C Advent 2007 – Year A Advent 2008 – Year B Advent 2009 – Year C

The Blessing ofthe Advent Wreath

(To be said on the First Sunday of Advent, when the Advent wreath is assembled and the first candle is lit.)

Father or Mother: “Our help is from the Lord our God.”

All: “Who created all things.”

Father or Mother: “Father, by your word all things are made holy. Pour out your blessing upon this wreath. Its circle reminds us that you are without beginning or end. You always were and always will be. Its boughs, which are always green, remind us that your love for us never changes. The candlelight reminds us of Jesus, your Son, Light of the World. Grant that we who use this wreath may joyfully prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ Jesus.”

All: “Amen.”

The Blessing of the Advent Wreath | 11

Another Advent blessing that can be used is taken from the Book of Blessings, the official prayer book of the American bishops:

Father or Mother: “Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation.

“Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord.”

All: “Amen.”

12| The Blessing of the Advent Wreath