ADVENT WREATH
WHAT IS AN ADVENT
WREATH?
The
Advent wreath is one of the most symbolic traditions for the season of Advent.
With its colourful candles lit on each of the four weeks of Advent, the wreath
is a reminder of the hope and joy coming. Advent wreaths are not exclusive to
churches; many families and individuals have an Advent wreath at home and
observe the tradition of lighting the candles for each Sunday.
ADVENT WREATH HISTORY
Though
there is evidence to suggest that Christians in the Middle Ages may have used
lighted wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas, the first
clear association with Advent is generally attributed to German Lutherans in
the 16thcentury. However, another three centuries would pass before the modern
Advent wreath took shape. Specifically, a German theologian and educator by the
name of Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881) is credited with the idea of
lighting an increasing number of candles as Christmas approached.
Wichern
was passionate about urging Christians to minister to the physical and social,
as well as spiritual, needs of people. He was a man who put his teaching into
practice, and one of his many acts of social service included the founding of a
home for poor children, the Rough House, in the city of Hamburg. Tradition
holds that as Christmas approached each year, the children would daily inquire
about its arrival. In 1839, Wichern ingeniously thought to use a wreath as a
teaching tool. For each Sunday of Advent, Wichern positioned a large white
candle in a wreath. For every other day in between, Wichern placed a small red
candle in the wreath. Each day Wichern would light a candle and teach the
children about Jesus. Thus, the children had a visual means to help them count
the days until Christmas, and Wichern had an opportunity to help draw their
focus to the purpose of Christmas. His idea was a success, and with time, it
spread throughout Europe and on to North America.
Wichern’s
idea may also have influenced the modern Advent calendars that, beginning on
December 1, count the days until Christmas. According to tradition, the Advent
calendar was created by a Munich housewife for her children; the first
commercial calendars were printed in Germany in 1851.
ADVENT WREATH MEANING
Circular
Shape: The circular shape of the wreath represents the
eternal nature of God—His never-ending love, mercy, and faithfulness. It also
symbolizes the unending cycle of seasons and the continuous nature of time.
Evergreen
Branches: Evergreen branches, which do not lose their leaves
in winter, represent the everlasting life found in Christ. They are a symbol of
hope and renewal, pointing to the promise of eternal life through Jesus.
Lighting
of Candles: The lighting of the candles is an important tradition
during Advent. Each week, an additional candle is lit to symbolize the
increasing anticipation and preparation for the arrival of Jesus. The light
from the candles represents the light of Christ coming into the world.
THE ADVENT CANDLES SYMBOLISM
In
almost all Advent traditions, lighting candles is also a prominent feature of
each week’s commemorative celebration. Some candles are placed within or near
the Advent wreath itself. Other times, they are lit separately on each Sunday
beginning four weeks before Christmas. Candles and the light they produce
reflect the light that came into the world with the arrival of Jesus
Christ.
Some
traditions light a single candle on each of the 24 days leading up to
Christmas. Other traditions place one large candle in the centre of the Advent
wreath and light it every day of December until Christmas.
The most common tradition, however, typically uses four candles. Each advent candle is lit on one of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. In some churches and homes, a 5th candle that is larger and white is lit to represent Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
WHAT ARE ADVENT WREATH CANDLE COLORS?
Advent
candles have meaning and symbolism for the Christian holiday season. The most
common tradition typically uses four candles. Each advent candle is lit on one of
the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
