The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that dates back to the 16th century. It is used by many Christians as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The wreath is made of evergreen branches in a circle to symbolize God’s eternity and is adorned with 4 candles. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The lighting of the candles marks the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The 4 Candles
The 4 candles on the Advent wreath hold great symbolic meaning:
- The first candle is traditionally the Prophet’s Candle or Hope Candle. This candle reminds Christians to have hope in Christ.
- The second candle is called the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation. This candle represents the preparations being made for the coming of Jesus Christ.
- The third candle is referred to as the Shepherd’s Candle or the Candle of Joy. The joy candle calls to rejoice because Christ is near.
- The fourth and last candle is the Angel’s Candle or the Candle of Love. It reminds Christians of the love brought into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Each week on Sunday, a particular candle is lit before or during Mass or worship service. Each candle dispels the darkness and brings the light of Christ closer as Christians await the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day.
History of the Advent Wreath
The exact origins of the Advent wreath are uncertain, but evidence suggests it dates back to the 16th century among Lutherans in Germany. The evergreen wreath itself has a long history as a Christian symbol representing everlasting life in Christ.
Some of the earliest known uses of the Advent wreath include:
- A German Lutheran minister, Johann Hinrich Wichern, is credited with creating the modern Advent wreath in 1839. He placed candles inside a cart wheel to count down the Sundays to Christmas with underprivileged children at a mission school.
- Advent wreaths were originally made of wooden hoops with evergreen branches and 4 tapers. The tapers represented the 4 Sundays of Advent and the evergreens symbolized ongoing life.
- Catholics in Germany were among the first to adopt the wreath into their Advent celebrations in the early 1900s. The use spread to other Christian denominations.
- Electric Advent wreaths with artificial evergreens and electric candles emerged in the 1970s and grew in popularity for practicality.
Over time, the symbolism expanded to assigning a spiritual meaning to each candle related to the purpose of Advent. The Advent wreath took on greater significance beyond merely counting down the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Advent Wreath Traditions
There are several traditions associated with the lighting of Advent wreath candles:
- The first candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Some traditions light the first candle the Sunday prior to this.
- Another candle is lit on each successive Sunday leading up to Christmas Day. The candles are often lit before or during Mass or worship service.
- The color of the candles can vary by tradition. Most common is three purple candles and one pink candle in the center lit on the Third Sunday of Advent.
- Prayers, Bible readings, or festive songs often accompany the weekly candle lighting.
- A white Christ candle is placed in the center of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve or Day to represent the birth of Christ.
Though Advent wreath traditions can vary slightly between denominations, the general symbolism and meaning remain the same. The progressive lighting of the candles helps build spiritual anticipation during the season of Advent as believers await celebrating the arrival of Christ, the Light of the World.
Meaning Behind the Evergreens
Fresh evergreen branches are an integral part of the Advent wreath. Evergreens symbolize ongoing, everlasting life. Their circular shape represents God’s unending love and the eternal life we find in Christ. Here are some details on the history and meaning behind the Advent wreath evergreens:
- Using evergreen branches for symbolic decor has ancient origins in Germanic and Scandinavian cultures. The Vikings believed evergreens signified the coming spring.
- For early Christians, evergreens represented the ongoing life we gain through faith in Christ. The sharp leaves also symbolized the pain Christ endured at his crucifixion.
- The circle shape formed by evergreen branches joined together represents unity, wholeness, and the eternal nature of God’s love.
- Pine cones used to decorate wreaths symbolize the new life that comes through Christ’s birth and God’s grace.
- Holly branches used in Advent wreaths also carry religious meaning. The thorny leaves reference Christ’s crown of thorns and the red berries represent his blood shed for salvation.
Due to the powerful symbolism behind evergreens, fresh Advent wreaths were traditionally made of fir, spruce, or pine branches. Today, artificial wreaths allow more people to benefit from the spiritual meaning found in the Advent wreath.
Colors of Advent Candles
The candles on the Advent wreath also carry spiritual symbolism through their colors. Here are common candle colors and their significance:
| Candle Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple | Symbolizes hope, anticipation, humility, and repentance as Christians prepare for Christ’s coming |
| Pink | Marks the Third Sunday of Advent. Represents joy that the arrival of Christ is near |
| White | The Christ candle lit on Christmas reminds that Jesus is sinless and pure |
Along with evergreens, the carefully chosen colors of the candles help reinforce significant Advent themes. The progressive lighting builds eager anticipation during the weeks leading up to celebrating the promise fulfilled in Christ’s birth.
Prayers for Advent Wreath Lighting
Lighting the Advent wreath candles each Sunday is often accompanied by special prayers. Here are some examples of prayers to consider:
First Sunday of Advent
“Lord, help us remember your promises as we wait for the coming of your Son. As this candle dispels darkness, may Christ come to dispel the darkness of our hearts and renew your light within us.”
Second Sunday of Advent
“Lord, as we prepare for your arrival, help us renew our faith in your promises. Guide us in making straight your paths through acts of love and repentance.”
Third Sunday of Advent
“Lord, fill our hearts with joy as your light grows within us. We rejoice that your coming is near. Make us ready to welcome and praise you.”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
“Lord, we praise you for your Son, Jesus, the light of the world. As Christmas draws near, fill our lives completely with your light and love.”
Family Advent Wreath Traditions
The Advent wreath offers a meaningful way for families to spiritually prepare together for Christmas. Parents can teach children about the symbolism and perform wreath rituals to start family Advent traditions. Ideas include:
- Read Bible passages relating to each Advent candle’s theme the night it is lit
- Sing or listen to festive Christmas hymns after lighting the candle
- Take turns lighting the candles and saying the Advent prayer
- Create crafts to decorate the wreath that represent Advent themes
- Keep an Advent calendar and do good deeds to count down to Christmas
Making an Advent wreath part of your home holiday traditions can deepen your appreciation of the true meaning of Christmas in preparing for Jesus’ arrival.
Conclusion
The four candles of the Advent wreath carry profound spiritual meaning for Christians as they await Christmas. The lighting of the candles count down the four Sundays leading up to celebrating Christ’s birth while also progressing through key spiritual themes. The evergreens and carefully chosen candle colors reinforce these significant concepts. Performing traditional Advent wreath rituals with prayer or song unifies churches and families during this special liturgical season.
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