Advent wreath cookies

Advent begins this Sunday and since most families have an Advent wreath in their home, I thought I would make Advent wreath cookies and talk about their meaning.  The candles are edible, I colored some fondant and formed the fondant around toothpicks.  Have a very Blessed and Prayerful Advent!

The Advent Wreath

The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colors of the candles (purple is the penitential color used during Advent; rose is a liturgical color used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent) help to symbolize not only our expectation and hope in Our Savior's first coming into the world, but also in his Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world.

THE MEANING
1st CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF HOPE"
We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises he made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans 15:12-13)

2nd CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF PREPARATION"
Preparation means to 'get ready'. "Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!" (Luke 3:4-6)

3rd CANDLE- (pink) "CANDLE OF JOY"
The angels sang a message of JOY! (Luke 2:7-15)

4th CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF LOVE" 
God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! (John 3:16-17)

Men of Faith

There are so many men of faith I could spend years telling there stories, but tonight we are going to talk about the men who will be represented on the Jesse tree, in December. Here they are:

Adam-The First Man
Noah-and the Flood
Abraham-Man of Faith
Isaac-The Victim
Jacob-The Man Who Wrestled With God
Joseph-The Favorite Son
Moses-The Liberator
David-The Chosen King
Joseph-Foster Father of Jesus
John-the Baptist
Jesus-The Son of God

For my treat I have caramel apple suckers from the story of Adam and Eve.  I also have rainbow jello jigglers from the story of Noah.   Read all about these great men in your bible.

Feast of All Saints and All Souls

As a Church, we dedicate November to remembering our faithful departed.  We pray for all those awaiting entrance into heaven, and ask that God give them the merits and prayers of other members of the Communion of Saints and welcome them into his presence.  With faith, we pray:

Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.

Even as we pray for our deceased loved ones, so we should also ask them to pray with us.  Whether they are in heaven or purgatory, we trust that they will intercede for us.  Because they are his beloved sons and daughters in Christ, the Father will answer their prayers.

For my treat I have pudding cups topped with crushed Oreo cookies.  I garnished them with a ghost peep and pumpkin.  I cut-out R.I.P. designs and slid the spoon through them.