Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ into our
lives anew at Christmas. The Advent Wreath is a circular evergreen wreath
containing four candles, three purple and one pink, and a fifth white candle in
the middle. For each of the four weeks of Advent, a new candle is lit and the
fifth candle is lit on Christmas Day. Three of the four candles are purple
because this is the colour for the penitential seasons of the Church's year – a
time when we reflect on our lives in the light of God's love and say sorry to
God for the times we have turned away from Him. The pink candle is lit on the
third Sunday of Advent which is known as Gaudete or Rejoicing Sunday. The
evergreen circle of the wreath reminds us that God's love has no beginning or
end – it is everlasting.
During advent there will be details and activities organised by the Cathedral Children's Liturgy Team and weekly reflections. In our Friday Photos of Faith we would like to display photos of Advent wreaths and Advent calendars and hear about how families and schools are celebrating Advent.
