This is a Christian
themed coordinated web set I created based on the symbols associated
with Advent. Advent for Christians, refers to the four weeks
before Christmas. In many households and churches around the
world, the traditional Advent wreath is part of the holiday
season. Four candles are placed on the table in a wreath of
evergreens, one to be lighted on each of the four Sundays preceding
Christmas. Sometimes a central fifth candle is lighted on
Christmas Day.
Above you see a sample of how a web page title could be inserted into
the Advent title image created for this set. A blank of the title
clip art is in the .zip file
below. If you don't have a graphic
program capable of inserting a page title, e-mail me and I will do
it for you as
time allows. Below you will find the candle and holly
graphic divider and holly bullet designed for this page.
There are also fancy text clipart buttons with Advent candle side bars
that are totally adjustable to your needs. Advent
coordinating navigation graphics that could be placed at the
bottom of each page if appropriate are also included.
The
lighting of the four candles during winter may well go back to the
ancient fire wheel, lighted in the darkest time of year to lure the sun
back and ensure another spring.
Each
candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the
Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes
expectant hope and is sometimes associated with prophecy. The
others are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the
story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the
season, such as Peace, Love, Joy. The third (and sometimes
fourth) is generally symbolic of Joy at the imminence of the coming of
Christ. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ
Candle" -- is often lit in the center on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas
Day to signify Christ's birth.
The
color scheme and order of symbolic associations for the candles is
largely arbitrary but several traditions have adopted them for the
meaning they carry. For Catholics and Protestants alike, the
color of the first, second and fourth candles are purple (or blue), but
the third is often rose-colored, to joyfully represent Gaudete Sunday
with a less sombre liturgy.
From
the 4th century, the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict
as that of Lent. In the Anglican and Lutheran churches this
fasting rule was later relaxed, with the Roman Catholic Church doing
likewise later, but still keeping Advent as a season of
penitence. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar
festivities were forbidden, and to the present day, in accordance with
the symbolism of liturgical colors, purple vestments are worn at the
church services, although in recent years blue has gained favor (to
make Advent more distinctive from Lent, which continues to use violet),
an apparent revival of the Sarum Rite, which dates from medieval
England (Sarum being the Latin name for Salisbury, where the custom of
using blue vestments at this time of year originated). In the Eastern
churches, red is used.
A
common way of marking the days of Advent, particularly among children,
is an Advent Calendar, traditionally made of wood but today usually
made of cardboard. Typically, there is a tab that can be
unsealed and raised for each day of Advent. Something is
hidden behind each tab, such as a devotional reading, a religious
messages, a seasonal picture, a piece of candy, or a small item such as
a toy or charm.
Font
used for the sample title and buttons above is called: "Anglican Text"
To save, you may download the .zip file which
includes the Christian Advent graphics, clip art, instructions and HTML
template. Do not link to the graphics on this page!
Please note that this set is free to use on personal websites only
(donations are always appreciated). Those sites that hope to
generate income (business site) there is a one time $10 minimum
requested donation payable through Pay Pal.
Whether it is a commercial or personal web site, a text link to this
site MUST appear on all pages you use these designs on. Below
is a suggested format:
Crystal Cloud
Graphics
is a home based graphic design and drafting firm that has been in
business
since 1978. It is owned and operated by Kythera Ann.
If you would like to commission a specially designed theme or graphic
please
send an e-mail.
Web
Host: ELYSIUMGATES.COM
If you experience any problems with this site,
please contact the web mistress.
Copyright 1998 - 2021 Crystal Cloud Graphics