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Judy Holwell's avatar

The ladies of our South Georgia Methodist church gathered after church today to create our own advent wreaths. Our leader, Marian, ordered kits for us. Each of us decorated the grapevine base wreath with greenery from our own yard, embellished with berries, cones, ribbon, etc. Each was beautiful and unique. Wish I could upload photos for you to see. Then we added candles supplied in the kit.

Advent is a Christian tradition remembered and honored in our community, one that I’m so happy you share. To Hope!

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Toni Tucker Locke's avatar

I'm glad for you that you learned how to properly celebrate Advent. I'm sorry that you couldn't find candles. Florists who prepare Advent wreaths for churches might be able to help you. Call ahead before you shop local. Good luck and bless you for desiring to practice a lovely tradition.

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Laura Jordan's avatar

Hobby Lobby had a ton of them this weekend!

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Bruce Hartnett's avatar

We have Glass Advent Candles filled with liquid candle/lamp wax/oil, on/in a Brass holder/evergreen wreath, now several years old, don't remember how long ago. Today was the 1st day of Advent Prophecy Candle.

Old Church, originally Methodist, until too many political changes. Still listed as the Methodist Church, NOT United Methodist.

A couple of decades ago, our 3 Church Friendship Parish, made personal Advent Logs for the Candles. My Mother evidently had bought out a supply of Advent Candles, which are still plentiful in said storage cabinet.

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Sharon Thomason's avatar

The glass advent candles sound gorgeous!

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Bruce Hartnett's avatar

And, they last forever!!! 😇 Just need new oil/wax. Our Alter Candles are Glass also, just plain whitish & I top them off every Sunday.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

That's my job each week, too, Bruce - refill the candles. There are more of them during Advent.

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Bruce Hartnett's avatar

In our little Church, I am Custodian, Communion Steward, Chairman of the Boards, etc.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

I have a bro-in-law who is like that. He is Mr. Everything at his church, from the fix-it guy to driving the bus. He's the brawn, his wife is the brains.

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Trilby Idzerda's avatar

Thank you, sweetheart. We must hold the line for 3 purple and 1 pink candle for Advent. Veni, Veni, Emmanuel.

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Gale Smith's avatar

Catholic Churches with gift shops have them. We lit an Advent candle today at the Methodist Church in Opp, AL. Probably ordered from Amazon....

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MAM's avatar

We celebrated the First Sunday of Advent at church. And yes the first purple candle was lit. it has never been a family tradition to have the candles at home because we see them at church. But our daughters loved getting Advent calendars when they were younger. Sorry, Sean, that you couldn't find any of the candles anywhere you looked. Shame on our society for forgetting what is important, And that is to celebrate Jesus's birth, as well as the sacrifice He made for us later in His life. We must bring God back to the masses, who have forgotten their Creator.

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Cindy Gallop's avatar

Light the candles…..Merry Christmas….and PLEASE continue to share the true Christmas story! I respect the different ways people greet this season. But people of faith, with all their heart, will continue to pass along the good news! Can’t snuff that out! 🕯️

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Anita McMahon's avatar

Hobby Lobby has everything Christian. Even Amazon has Advent candles. Is the south that different than the mid west? Last year I bought Advent candles with light bulbs that light up with tiny batteries. Now, I just turn on one candle the first week, and another each other week. Save on buying candles each year and it's safer not to have lit candles.

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Terrie McMahan's avatar

Is the South that different than the Midwest? Oh, Honey ~ where should we start...

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Anita McMahon's avatar

What I was wondering is why the South doesn't have Hobby Lobby. Or do they? I thought they were everywhere.

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Jonathan Brownson's avatar

Advent is a wonderful antidote to the commercialization of Christmas...perhaps that is why you had so much difficulty in finding the candles...

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Susie S's avatar

Talk about the commercialization of Christmas!! No need to look further than Hobby Lobby!!!! And they claim to be Christians! What a farce!! Haha

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Carol M.'s avatar

I hate “happy holiday” just say which one you are celebrating! It is not hard. Also, the Catholic Company has them online. Merry Christmas Everyone 🎄🕯️

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Patricia Dianne Gibson's avatar

I don’t object to Happy Holidays as long as they don’t forbid employees from saying Merry Christmas but I say Merry Christmas ! My favorite time of the year

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Barbara Ashburn's avatar

I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church in Alabama and we never had Advent candles. My husband was a choir director in a Christian Church in Alabama, Methodist and Baptist Churches in Georgia and we never had an Advent wreath in any of them. We ended up Presbyterian USA, and THIS is where we had the most beautiful Advent Wreath ANYWHERE! I am eighty-eight years old and, yes, it was there this morning and the candle of HOPE was lit! Somehow, I just don't think many churches did it during my earlier years. I am so thankful I found the place that does it right. If you are near Madison, Georgia during December, stop by the little white church on Main Street and cast your eyes on the most beautiful wreath anywhere! It has been created by the same dear friend ever since we have been here.

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Shawna Carroll's avatar

I so relate. I’ve been celebrating advent since I was a child too and finding candles in person is difficult.

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Ernie in River City's avatar

First Baptist Church in River City will be 200 years old in 2028. We renewed celebrating Advent 10 or 15 years ago and it got several people’s knickers in twists. “Advent is for Catholics!” they complained. Bless their pea-picking hearts. Can’t imagine Christmas without it.

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Bob Smyth's avatar

"Christmas has changed a lot since I was a kid."

You think it has changed?! I'm 81.

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Stacey Patton Wallace's avatar

Sean, I am a Christian of the Southern Baptist persuasion. We never celebrated Advent. However, about 15 years ago, my minister, a former Methodist, introduced our congregation to Advent. I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. Also, I will say “Merry Christmas,” until God calls me home. I like what actor Ben Stein once said, “I am Jewish; however, I have no problem with my neighbor’s manager scene display.” People in this crazy 21st century need to get a grip. Merry Christmas, everyone! ✝️

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