This year, 2006, the official first day of Advent is December 3rd, so buy your candles and advent wreath or log makings. That is what advent is all about…preparation. I have some directions here.
Time to start planning your activities and scripture readings.
Here are some simple directions on how to create an Advent Wreath.
A fresh wreath requires:
* shallow bowl or dish,
* oasis (also known as florist’s foam, it is available from any florist), in blocks or preformed circle
* floral tape
* three purple candles,
* one pink candle,
* four white candles,
* pine or cedar boughs, or ivy. (or all three!)
Make the wreath by first soaking the oasis in warm water until it is completely saturated. Fit it into the bowl, carving it and packing it in tightly as necessary so that it will not shift around. Use the floral tape to further secure it. ( even if it looks a bit sloppy, it is all covered with plant material by the time you are done)
Carve four holes in the oasis for the candles. Place the candles in the holes you have made and begin sticking greenery into the oasis to completely cover it. For the thick twigs of pine, etc, you can use a knife to shave the end of the twigs to a point. It looks pretty to have some trailing boughs over the edges of the bowl, and closely packed around the candles to hide all the foam.
Keep the foam well watered, and try not to let the candles burn down so low that they scorch the greenery, and the wreath will last from the first Sunday of Advent until Epiphany.
My next post will be on the Advent Log, our own tradition here at my house.
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