- Joanna Jungjohann
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- Added 01 Dec 2007
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- 36 Comments
Advent wreath .......................................................................is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas story, there are various ways to understand the symbolism. The exact meaning given to the various aspects of the wreath is not as important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colors of Advent, and one pink or rose candle. One of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunday of Advent, a Scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given, and a prayer offered. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are relighted with an additional one lighted. The pink candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. However, different churches or traditions light the pink candle on different Sundays depending on the symbolism used (see above on Colors of Advent). In Churches that use a Service of the Nativity, it is often lighted on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final Sunday before Christmas.
36 Comments
joe valcourt 04 Dec 2007
very lovely symbol and message for us all thanksVisionary Imagist 03 Dec 2007
Joanna; What a beautiful photograph. What a wonderful accompanying text too. Great image. well done again.Liz Robinson 03 Dec 2007
Beautiful Wreath Joanna...I also love this Hymn. Very nice message for Christmas.Izabella Pavlushko 03 Dec 2007
well done dear Jo. this image is so beautiful !!!KC CHANG 02 Dec 2007
VERY BEAUTIFUL!walt larsen 02 Dec 2007
very inspirational, wowOlga van Dijk 02 Dec 2007
What a beautiful piece this is again dear JJ... You're so spiritual and inspiring....Joe Sweeney 02 Dec 2007
Lovely. Jo.craig moline 02 Dec 2007
Wonderful Joanna. Brings back good memories of a song of the same title we sing at church once in awhile. Thanks!Ian Richard Laws 02 Dec 2007
Hi Jo, A beautiful piece,that helps explain the Advent wreath. I think the beauty is in the piece but more so in your heart for sharing the meaning of everything within the scene. I am very happy to learn such things and i am so grateful yo you Jo for doing exactly that. Take care, ian.Louis Myers 02 Dec 2007
the arrangement and message are beautiful! Wonderful work!William Boyer 02 Dec 2007
Nice job.marisa reilly 02 Dec 2007
beautiful work Jo, Bless you and your familly this christmas season,, very informative description as well, nicely done.Nira Dabush 01 Dec 2007
MARVELOUS WORK, JO...God bless you...Natalie G 01 Dec 2007
Wonderful words and work, Joanna. Regards, NGHui Zhu 01 Dec 2007
wonderful !^o^Francis Rivera 01 Dec 2007
Very beautiful! ^_^Kathie Nichols 01 Dec 2007
Beautiful photography Jo, enjoyed reading your description, lovely words!BILL NAGY 01 Dec 2007
Very nice Joanna. BILL NAGYPatty Day 01 Dec 2007
Excellent work my friend!!!mel taylor 01 Dec 2007
Really beautiful piece, Joanna! You do good work!!!!!!! melSeth Weaver 01 Dec 2007
Beautiful words and picture of the Season Chaplain Jungjohann.Robin Brown 01 Dec 2007
Gorgeous Joanna, just a pity the candles were out. If I was you I'd add in a flame. Best wishes & kindest regards Robin XXJohn Swift 01 Dec 2007
Beautiful piece of work, Joanna!Robin Foss 01 Dec 2007
Great shot.Alberto D'Assumpcao 01 Dec 2007
Beautiful piece, Joanna!Lucia Stewart 01 Dec 2007
Awesome piece Joanna!Chris Roukema 01 Dec 2007
Most Awesome Work, Joanna! Excellent!Joke Schotting 01 Dec 2007
Beautiful Joanna!!!julie Marks 01 Dec 2007
Joanna, I am enjoying my theological education. You should be awarded a Ph.D. in Theology with your vast fund of knowledge. Lately I have loved your writing and hope to see more narratives that you pair so beautifuuly with your artwork. Charlie was raised a Catholic and I was raised Jewish although we both are mystics and buddhists, we don't practice a conventional religion although my temple resides within me and Charlie's experience exposed him to the punitive and sinful aspects of religion rather than the uplifting and value of those who have faith to help them through difficult times. I hope you saw my posting of my dog Willard who before he died we planned a wedding for him and his fiance Annie, both of them were tricolor English Setters. Jeff Goldblum's sister painted dogs who were bar mitvahed with shawls and yamakas for one of my friends Ben Shield who has written many wonderful books by some of the most eminent spiritual writers about the soul and lessons from the heart. Also one of a wondeful therapist who I supervised who was an orthodox Jew knowing I did not follow Jewish Traditions told me I was one of the most religious people she knew after 63 years of devotion to her religion. She said the definition of religions means the gift of healing and I never forgot those precious words. You have both, a strong faith and the gift of healing that has matured into a wonderful and strong character with a generous and loving value system. I talked to a Rabbi who said he would bar mitvah Willard. Although Kevie did not attend temple except for when he was young and asked what is temple? I told him to go and find out for himself. He told me he thought it was a restaurant. LOL. Since Charlie valued Judiasm, they both went to temple when he was six and seven and still is involved in his restaurant. I think Mikey wants to be barmitvahed since the rabbi said he loved dogs and it would be a wonderful experience for him given his feelings that dogs in many ways were more evolved than humans. I was surprised by his willingness. I think he is Buish (a Buddish Jew) and Molly must be an Irish Catholic. They will work it out, especially since they are related to Nebo's and all their distant cousins in Louisiana.Lewis Findley 01 Dec 2007
BEAUTUFILGabriele Swanson 01 Dec 2007
beautiful image JoJan van Baarle 01 Dec 2007
Really wonderful work. Well done!Karen Cash 01 Dec 2007
wonderful work!Emily Reed 01 Dec 2007
WONDERFUL RELIGIOUS PHOTO!Donald Schrier 01 Dec 2007
I was ignorate of this prior to this point and I find the symbolism very moving and touching to me. I love the picture but the comment is what makes this so important. Thank you very much for showing me this. I love it and everything it stands for.