Something to use in place of Advent wreath?

[whatevergirl]

We moved twice in less than 2 years…and somewhere along the lines, my lovely Advent candles have been misplaced…or worse, thrown away. They still had a lot of life left, so it upsets me that I can’t locate them…but I found the empty wreath. As a family, one of our Advent traditions is to pray together and we take turns reading aloud, the mass readings. Would it be ok if I just used a large candle, and lit it each night?

I can’t find these candles anywhere in the stores, either…every set I find is too narrow for the wreath. It’s too late for me to order a new wreath…and I couldn’t find any advent wreaths at Target, etc…?

What do you think–would it be ok if we did this–just use one candle for the entire Advent season?

 

[MusicMan]

For the most part, a person or a family’s private prayer life is a private matter. Obviously, attempting to confer or confect Sacraments at home is forbidden, and there are certain requiments that must be met for prayer of the Divine Office to be united with the whole Church and not just a private devotional prayer.

What you’re doing is most laudable, and there is certainly nothing wrong with using one candle for your family’s private Advent prayer ritual.

Don’t fret or fuss. Have your focus be on your prayers.

 

[1ke]

Yes, that is perfectly fine.

Advent wreaths are a private devotion, there is no right or wrong way to do private devotions. There aren’t rubrics like Mass that require things be done a certain way.

 

[stanthonyserver]

Doing the advent wreath on our dinner table is one of our family’s favorite traditions. We light it with our own prayer every Sunday in place of our usual grace and it makes the entire meal a special remembrance of this season.

Have you looked for those fat rubber bands that can be put on the base of narrow candles to make them fit larger candle holders? I know we use them on occassion and they work well - I’m not sure where to get them though.

Have a prayerful Advent season.

David

 

[benedictgal]

Here is a suggestion that might work. Try putting small plates where the candleholders are. Then, go to Pier One, MIchael’s, Kirkland’s or some other home decor place. While you may not get the exact shade of purple, these stores carry wide candles. The candles would then sit on the little plates and make great substitues.

I went to Wal-Mart the other day and I was amazed to see Christmas trees decked in purple lights. That might also be a good outdoor option; get three of them and then check to see if, by chance, somone might sell one with pnik lights. Just a thought.

 

[whatevergirl]

Here is a suggestion that might work. Try putting small plates where the candleholders are. Then, go to Pier One, MIchael’s, Kirkland’s or some other home decor place. While you may not get the exact shade of purple, these stores carry wide candles. The candles would then sit on the little plates and make great substitues.

I went to Wal-Mart the other day and I was amazed to see Christmas trees decked in purple lights. That might also be a good outdoor option; get three of them and then check to see if, by chance, somone might sell one with pnik lights. Just a thought.

I love this idea–thank you! Also, I guess I could wrap tape around store bought candles to fit.

Thanks to everyone else who replied. I just wasn’t 100%.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

One year when we had very little, the older kids and I made a genuine paper wreath, which we taped to the living room door. We also taped genuine paper candle candles, quite large, 4 of them, 3 purple, 1 pinky-rose. We made genuine flames out of paper and foil, sticking those to the correct candle for the week.

But then, that was the year of the “flibber” Christmas tree made out of tubes of newspaper…

 

[PatienceAndLove]

One year when we had very little, the older kids and I made a genuine paper wreath, which we taped to the living room door. We also taped genuine paper candle candles, quite large, 4 of them, 3 purple, 1 pinky-rose. We made genuine flames out of paper and foil, sticking those to the correct candle for the week.

But then, that was the year of the “flibber” Christmas tree made out of tubes of newspaper…

I <3 genuine paper wreaths. DD and I are gonna make one for her to use.