Several herbs are appropriate for small live Christmas trees. They add diversity to the season and are useful after the Christmas season. They are Rosemary, Greek Myrtle, and Bay Laurel. Of these Rosemary is the easiest to grow and will fit in with the growing conditions for Virginia Pine or Leyland Cypress. It can be sheared to a perfect 'Christmas tree' shape.

Rosemary is used in Europe because of the associations with Mary (the flowers changed from white to blue after she laid her cloak on it, and blue is the traditional church color associated with Mary). Additionally, it has a wonderful piney scent and makes a very small table tree.

ADVENT WREATHS

Advent is the church season before Christmas. It starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreath, which is made to lay on a table or to hang from the ceiling, is used as a symbolic means of counting the time until Christmas. In former times this was a time of reflection and preparation ( a 'Little Lent') for the Christmas Season (the Twelve Days of Christmas), so the penitential colors of purple and deep pink are used in its decoration. It holds four candles - one is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, two are lit on the second Sunday and so on until all are lit the Sunday before Christmas. (Sometimes you find that you have to replace a candle or two because they've become too short!) It's especially nice to use with children since it gives a visual way of counting the weeks to that anticipated event.

Materials Needed

• 10" vinyl saucer
• 1 block of oasis
• bulldog tape or other water proof tape
• 4 candle holders with spikes on end
• 4 16" candles - all purple, or three purple and one pink (pink one is lit 3rd Sunday of Advent)
• Greens to cut into 4 or 5 inch lengths
• appropriate herbs
• small bunch pink heather
• optional - 1 18 in. white candle (Christ candle) to be used from Christmas to Epiphany.

Make base for wreath by cutting the oasis block in half lengthwise. Place each piece on its side and carve a half circle. Cut out center (making about a 3 to 4 inch circle). Put oasis in a vinyl saucer and secure by using tape around saucer and oasis. Put the candle holders in oasis directly across from each other. Fill the vinyl dish with water and allow the water to soak into the oasis. When no more water can be absorbed by the oasis, insert your greens starting on the outside rim. Insert greens on the inside to cover the oasis. Insert herbs and heather in center covering around the candle holders, place candles in holders. Light 1st candle on 1st Advent Sunday, 2 on the next Sunday, and so on, until Christmas.

THE TRADITIONAL HERBS OF CHRISTMAS ARE:

	SAGE - the herb of immortality and domestic happiness.
	LAVENDER - symbol of purity and virtue.
	HOREHOUND - giving good health.
	RUE - symbol of grace and banishes evil.
	THYME - symbol of bravery.
	ROSEMARY - for remembrance and because it was associated with Mary.
	COSTMARY - called 'Bible leaf' and symbol of everlasting life.

Send questions and comments to bfischma@acesag.auburn.edu.

Letters to Bernice Fischman - 101 Funchess Hall - Auburn University, AL 36849.