Works For Me Wednesday

This is my first Works for Me and I've been thinking about what Christmas tradition I should share. The one memory that is the same for every Christmas. My family has always done an advent wreath. Our wreath is different from every other one I've encountered though.
We start the wreath on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. The first candle is red and it is for the prophets. My dad reads the scriptures in Isaiah and Micah about the coming of the Messiah. Then we sing a few Christmas carols and pray.
The second red candle is for John the Baptist. Dad reads the story of Zachariah in the Temple and the birth of John the Baptist. We sing "Prepare Ye the Way" and pray together.
The third red candle is for Mary and Joseph. Dad reads in Luke about the angel appearing to Mary and Joseph, and their willingness to obey God. We sing a few Christmas carols and pray together.
The fourth red candle is for the angels and the shepards. Dad reads the scriptures about the shepards out gaurding their flocks and the angels telling them the Messiah is born. We usually sing "Angels We Have Heard on High" and the first "Noel." Then we pray together.
The last candle is white and it sits in the middle of the wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas eve and it stands for Baby Jesus. We read in Luke about Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem for the census and there being no room in the inn. We read the whole story and then sing any Christmas carol that someone suggests. Lastly we pray together and then let all five candles burn down together. It's very pretty to see them all at different heights.
This works for our family year after year. If anyone would like the printout version with the scriptures and everything let me know and I will email it to you.
For more great Christmas ideas head over to Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more great Christmas ideas.