An Advent wreath is a traditional decoration used by many Christians during the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The wreath is made of evergreen branches in a circular shape, with four candles placed at equal distances around the circle. The candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and often three of the candles are purple or blue, with one candle being pink. But an important question arises – are there actually three purple/blue candles on a traditional Advent wreath? Let’s take a closer look at the history, symbolism, and traditions around Advent wreaths to find the answer.
History and Origins of the Advent Wreath
The exact origins of the Advent wreath are uncertain, but it appears to have arisen from the ancient Celtic and Germanic traditions of lighting candles during the winter months. These traditions predated Christianity in northern and western Europe. Once Christianity took hold in these regions, the lighting of candles took on new meaning as a way to mark the Advent season.
The circular shape of evergreen branches used for the Advent wreath may be linked to the pagan Sun Wheel. But for Christians, it came to symbolize God’s eternity and endless mercy, as a circle has no beginning or end. The purple and pink candles arranged around this evergreen circle took on symbolic meaning as well, as we will explore shortly.
While Advent wreaths may have existed in isolated cases earlier on, evidence suggests that German Lutherans were the first to widely adopt the custom of the Advent wreath in the 19th century. From there, the tradition spread to other Christian denominations. Advent wreaths are now a beloved part of Advent celebrations across the Western Christian world.
Symbolism of the Candles
Traditionally, there are four candles total on an Advent wreath. Each candle represents one of the four Sundays of the Advent season:
| 1st Sunday of Advent | Hope |
| 2nd Sunday of Advent | Peace |
| 3rd Sunday of Advent | Joy |
| 4th Sunday of Advent | Love |
Three of the candles are typically purple or blue, while one candle is pink. The purple/blue candles symbolize hope, peace, and love respectively. These candles align with the penitential nature of Advent as a season of spiritual preparation for Christmas.
The pink candle represents joy and is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, when the season shifts to a more celebratory tone as Christians anticipate Jesus’ birth. This is known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “rejoice.”
So in summary – yes, a traditional Advent wreath contains three purple or blue candles to mark the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays of Advent. The 3rd candle is pink to represent joy on the mid-point Sunday.
Lighting the Advent Candles
Each Sunday during Advent, the appropriate candle(s) are lit before or during worship services. Traditionally, a new candle is lit each week, starting with just the first purple candle on the 1st Sunday. On the 2nd Sunday, two purple candles are lit, and so on.
By the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are glowing to welcome the Nativity of Jesus. Some wreath traditions also include lighting a white “Christ candle” in the center on Christmas Eve or Day.
In the home, families often gather around the Advent wreath each week to light the candles and say a prayer. This helps build a sense of reverent anticipation through the four weeks approaching Christmas. Many Advent wreath prayers reflect the candle themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Variations in Advent Wreath Traditions
While most Advent wreaths contain three purple/blue candles and one pink candle, there are some variations to this tradition found across different regions, cultures, and denominations:
– In some traditions, all four candles are red to symbolize the eager anticipation of Christ’s coming.
– Some wreaths substitute a white Christ candle for the pink joy candle.
– Others add a fifth white candle for Christmas Day in the center.
– Wreaths may also include natural seasonal elements like holly, pine cones, or flowers.
– Churches may hang large Advent wreaths from the ceiling or incorporate electric candles for safety.
– Blue candles are increasingly common over purple, since blue is the liturgical color for Advent in several churches.
– Different themes for the candle meanings might include prophecy, Bethlehem, shepherds, or angels.
So in the end, there is no one correct way to design an Advent wreath. The wreath itself acts as a flexible tool to mark the progression of the Advent season in whatever way works best for a given community, family, or religious tradition. The wreath and candles retain the overarching themes of expectation, preparation, hope and celebration leading up to Christmas.
The Advent Wreath in Catholicism
In the Catholic Church, Advent wreaths are popular centerpieces used in homes or during Mass. The Catholic version of the wreath contains the traditional three purple and one pink candle. The purple candles match the violet vestments worn by priests during Advent in Catholicism.
On the first two Sundays of Advent, the first two purple candles are lit. On Gaudete Sunday, the pink candle and two previous purple candles are lit. And on the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit.
Each candle represents a different aspect of Christ’s coming, whether at his birth, or at the end of time:
| 1st Candle | Hope |
| 2nd Candle | Peace |
| 3rd Candle | Joy |
| 4th Candle | Love |
Catholic prayers said while lighting the wreath candles typically reflect these themes. The increasing light each week symbolizes the expectancy growing brighter as Christmas draws closer.
Advent Wreaths in Other Christian Traditions
Advent wreaths are also popular in Protestant churches, although sometimes with minor variances. Some Protestant wreaths substitute white Christ candles for the penitential purple candles. Others may use different colors, arrange the candles in a linear line rather than a circle, or incorporate different symbolic elements.
Among Anglicans, deep blue or royal blue candles are common over purple, aligning with their different liturgical colors for Advent. Methodists also frequently use blue in Advent wreaths to distinguish them from the purple of Lent.
No matter the exact colors, Protestant Advent wreaths focus on marking the approach of Christmas through increasingly brighter illumination week by week. The circular evergreen wreath retains its symbolism of God’s unending love and the eternal life found through Christ.
Some Baptist and non-denominational churches have adopted Advent wreath practices more recently, likely borrowing from Lutheran or Anglican influence. These wreaths are used in the church sanctuary and may also be displayed in homes.
Putting Up an Advent Wreath at Home
Displaying an Advent wreath in the home is a meaningful way for families to observe the Advent season together. Here are some tips for getting started:
– Use an evergreen wreath base of real or artificial greenery. Wire wreath forms can allow more flexibility in candle placement.
– Add 4-5 candle holders securely spaced at equal distances. Be sure they are fire-safe distances from any greenery.
– Select taper candles in the appropriate liturgical colors preferred by your tradition. Many places sell colored Advent candle sets.
– Place the wreath on a fireproof surface or plate in a central, visible area of the home.
– Light candles at mealtimes or other family gatherings each Sunday, accompanied by prayers or devotions.
– Involve children in lighting the candles and read Scripture stories reflecting each week’s Advent theme.
– For safety, never leave burning candles unattended and keep out of reach of pets or young children.
An Advent wreath displayed in the home can become a cherished tradition for years to come as you establish your own family customs around its lighting. The wreath helps build a spiritual reverence throughout the weeks as Christmas draws closer.
Conclusion
In the end, the traditional design of the Advent wreath contains three purple or blue candles marking the first three Sundays of Advent, with a pink candle for the third Sunday. This pattern developed from early German Lutheran origins using the penitential colors of the liturgical season.
However, many variations exist across regions, cultures, and denominations. No one model is the required “correct” form. The wreath is meant to be a flexible tradition by which each family or church can create meaning during the season. Widely popular in Catholic and Protestant traditions, the wreath centers around themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as the light grows brighter each week before Christmas.