Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. [You can find instructions on making your Advent Wreath on YouTube, e.g. How to make an Advent Wreath and How to make a German Advent Wreath .]

It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles and often, a fifth, white candle in the centre. The first candle is lit on the 1^st Sunday of Advent, and an additional candle is lit during each subsequent Sunday of Advent. The 5^th candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A Bible reading and a prayer may accompany the lighting of the candles.

The custom is relatively recent; research suggests that it was invented by Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor. During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus, founded by Wichern in Hamburg, would ask daily if Christmas had arrived. In 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 19 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit successively every weekday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit.

The custom gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. Roman Catholics in Germany began to adopt the custom in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it spread to North America. More recently, some Eastern Orthodox families have adopted an Advent wreath with six candles symbolizing the longer Christmas fast in the Orthodox tradition, which corresponds to Advent in Western Christianity.

While there are now various religious interpretations of the symbolism of each candle, for families it can be used to follow the Christmas story.

Advent 1 – Candle of Hope (Annunciation)

The first candle symbolises Hope, and commemorates the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary with the announcement of hope for all humankind. [Churches link this Sunday to the Patriarchs or the Prophets. Instead of a red candle, some Protestant churches use a blue one and Roman Catholics use a purple candle.]

Candle 2 – Candle of Faith (Shepherds)

The second candle symbolises Faith, and commemorates the faith shown by the shepherds in following the angels’ instructions. [Churches link this Sunday to the Prophets or Bethlehem. Instead of a red candle, some Protestant churches use a blue one and Roman Catholics use a purple candle.]

Candle 3 – Candle of Joy (Mary)

The third candle symbolises Joy, and commemorates Mary’s joy in the birth of a son. [Churches link this Sunday to St John or the shepherds. Instead of a red candle, some Protestant churches use a blue one and Roman Catholics use a pink candle.]

Candle 4 – Candle of Peace (Wise Men)

The fourth candle symbolises Peace, and commemorates the visit of the Wise Men and a vision of peace on earth. [Churches link this Sunday to the angels or to Mary. Instead of a red candle, some Protestant churches use a blue one and Roman Catholics use a purple candle.]

Candle 5 – Candle of Love (Christ)

The final candle symbolises Love as presented by the Christ Child – a new birth, in which hope, faith, joy and peace are celebrated. The evergreen garland represents eternity. [Churches also link this Sunday to the Christ Child and use a white candle.]