Twenty nine sixth grade students at Our Lady of Fatima School in El Chorrillo are handcrafting Advent wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for the Christmas season. The project, coordinated with their teacher advisor and religion instructor, teaches the tradition’s significance ahead of the first Sunday of Advent. These circular wreaths with four candles serve as a visual countdown to Christmas across Christian communities worldwide.
The students have learned the specific meaning behind each element of the wreath, from the evergreen foliage symbolizing eternal life to the four candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love. They plan to light the candles with their families throughout the Advent season. Project organizers say the hands on activity helps children understand the religious significance beyond the craft itself.
Understanding the Advent Wreath Tradition
Father Javier Mañas explained the precise symbolism of the traditional Advent wreath used in Christian observance. His description outlines the specific colors and their meanings within the liturgical context.
“There are four candles. The first is purple, which signifies hope, the color of the coming Advent: hope, peace, love, and joy. The third candle is always pink because we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of joy, and so the pink manifests that color, the joy that is already near, that is already arriving. And those are the four colors that are the four candles, three purple and one pink that is the third Sunday of Advent. According to customs, then also on Christmas day there is a white one in the center that comes to represent that light of Christ, and it is about journeying through the Advent season to find the true light that is Christ,” [Translated from Spanish]
The Advent wreath should receive a blessing before the liturgical season begins, though families can perform home blessings too. This ritual focuses on asking God to fill believers’ hearts with light as they prepare for Christ’s arrival.
Student Perspectives on Spiritual Crafting
Students enthusiastically displayed their completed wreaths while explaining the spiritual and family values the project represents. Their comments revealed deep personal connections to the tradition that extends beyond classroom learning.
One student shared how the wreath symbolizes both religious devotion and family unity. She described it as creating sacred space within the home for prayer and connection.
“The Advent wreath, besides being a religious symbol, also represents the family peace that we all have in our homes, thanks to the family being able to unite and be in complete prayer, that is, a complete union with God,” [Translated from Spanish]
Another student noted the intergenerational aspect of the tradition, recalling family members creating similar wreaths in previous years. A third student detailed his creative process, explaining how he selected materials and incorporated recycled elements from family supplies.
The materials required for wreath making remain relatively simple and adaptable to different family preferences and budgets. Sharon Lopez, a local decorator, provided insight into current costs for those considering creating their own wreaths.
“To make an Advent wreath right now we cannot count on the budget being approximately ten dollars. Of course, if you want a larger Advent wreath, that depends a lot on the dimensions, where you are going to place it. Generally it is placed on the coffee table where we eat, but the price can vary according to the demands of each client,” [Translated from Spanish]
Spiritual Guidance Through the Advent Season
Beyond its decorative appearance, the Advent wreath functions as a spiritual guide throughout the four week preparation period. Each candle lighting serves as a reminder to cultivate specific virtues in personal and community life. The sequential illumination creates a rhythm of reflection and anticipation.
This year the Advent season begins on Sunday, November 30. The wreath’s usage culminates on Christmas Eve, specifically at sunset on December 24. The final white candle traditionally lit on Christmas Day represents Christ as the central light of the Christian faith.
The Our Lady of Fatima School project demonstrates how religious traditions pass to younger generations through practical engagement. Students not only learned about Advent symbolism but actively participated in creating objects they will use in family spiritual practices throughout the holiday season.