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When Maria Von Trapp arrived in the USA as a refugee from the Nazis in 1938, she and her family were astonished that "nobody knew anything about the Advent wreath."
The Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor Martin Hellrigel of St Louis, a leader in the liturgical movement, had also been born in Germany. Coincidentally, Gertrud's family had also fled Hitler in 1938, and settled in St Louis.
He soon met Therese Mueller, who reminded him of his own German childhood and the need to introduce "home" liturgy to the Catholic Church in the USA.
He encouraged her to write, and she encouraged him as well.
He decided to bring the home-ly Advent wreath into the Church, and because he loved the liturgical colors and vestments: three purple and a pink one for the third Sunday (Gaudete - "rejoice!") of Advent.
Therese didn't much like that, but gracious as she was, she went along with it for the sake of making those customs and traditions better know across the Church.
Her little booklet, Our Children's Year of Grace, and her many articles influenced the American church far more than even clergy know! Even Maria Von Trapp, when she wrote her book about her family, Around the Year with the Trapp Family, interviewed Therese to make sure she was getting it "right!"
(If you think the Muellers knew "everyone" - you would be right - even my other heroine, Dorothy Day!)
Since then, some people across the Church as if it has "always" been part of the Church's Advent preparation, having short memories! That's how effective she was.
More recently, different groups have marketed the Advent wreath with very specific "meanings" or themes for each candle and each week, some sure that the pink should be the last Sunday - for Mary - and each group eager to sell you materials specific to their interpretation!
Some use all white, some red, some purple and pink, some blue -
Most recently, many others have added a white candle in the center of the wreath for Christ - totally unnecessary, as all the candles and lights of Christmas signify the Light that is Christ Jesus!
Fact. The color doesn't matter. Use what you have, or what you like.
Advent is meant to be a restful season - a time of spiritual waiting, a spiritual "pregnancy" - NOT a time of pressure to "get it right!"
Here's a wonderful illustration for this dark winter season - let it be simple and peaceful. Let whatever lights you kindle, of whatever color, lead you to Light -