York Minster

Advent Wreath decorated

Published Friday 30th November 2007 by Alix Peacock

York Minster’s Advent Wreath has now been decorated and put into place for Advent 2007. The first candle on the advent wreath will be lit at the Sung Eucharist Service on Advent Sunday, 2nd December 2007.  The Advent Wreath at York Minster is suspended beneath the crossing area, directly under the Central Tower.  The wreath measures approximately four metres in diameter and is decorated each year with seasonal evergreen foliage.    The wreath is decorated each year by the Minster’s volunteer flower arrangers, underneath the central tower.  The wreath is then attached to a wire which hangs from the ceiling of the Central Tower

The Advent Wreath will hang in place throughout Advent.  One candle will be lit each Sunday and the central candle will be lit on Christmas day to represent the birth of Christ.  The Advent Wreath has many symbolic meanings.  It represents the coming of the light of Christ – both the first coming of his birth and looking forward to the second coming of his resurrection, celebrated at Easter.  The circular shape of the advent wreath is symbolic of the eternal life found in Christ. The evergreen foliage which decorates the Advent Wreath also symbolises life.