Advent Wreaths

There are usually four candles on an Advent Wreath which represent the four Sundays of Advent.

Three candles are purple and one candle is rose (pink).

The circular shape of the wreath represents the eternal love of God.

Advent wreaths

The Advent wreath is a special Christian tradition that has been around for centuries. The wreath holds candles that light the way for the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the wreath itself is also a symbol of important themes and beliefs in the Christian faith? In church, you might see an Advent wreath on the altar or a side table. At home, you can place your wreath on a table where you and your family can enjoy it during the Advent season. It's a beautiful way to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

History of the Advent wreath

The Advent wreath comes from Germany, but we're not sure when exactly. A long time ago, people in Germany used to put candles around wreaths during the dark, cold winter months. They did this because they were looking forward to the warm, sunny months of spring. This tradition became an "Advent wreath" during the Middle Ages when it became more of a Christian tradition. By the year 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal traditions around the Advent wreath. Today, people all over the world, especially in Western churches, celebrate the Advent wreath tradition.

Advent wreath meaning

The Advent wreath has a round shape and is made of evergreen leaves like pine or fir. That is a reminder that God's love never ends. Jesus is the Light of the World and this wreath helps us prepare for His coming with the light of each candle. Some modern wreaths have LED lights that don't need to be lit each week which makes it even easier to continue the tradition.

Advent wreaths are made of a round of evergreen branches with four candles. The candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Usually, three candles are purple and one is rose, but you can use white candles as well.

In Advent, the purple candles mean praying, being sorry for mistakes, and doing good things. On Gaudete Sunday, which is the third Sunday of Advent, we light a pink candle and the priest wears pink clothes to show that we are happy. This is because we are halfway through Advent and getting close to Christmas.

The lighting of candles during Advent represents the waiting for Jesus' first arrival and the expectation for his second arrival to judge everyone, who ever lived.

And that is the advent wreath in a nutshell. 

ADVENT WREATH BLESSING

The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or the evening before the First Sunday of Advent.

When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.

These are the prayers to bless an Advent Wreath:

All make the Sign of the Cross as the leader says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Response (R/.) Who made heaven and earth.

Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (lines 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) is read:

Reader: The word of the Lord.

R/. Thanks be to God.

With hands joined, the leader says:

Lord our God,

we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:

he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,

he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,

he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God,

let your blessing come upon us

as we light the candles of this wreath.

May the wreath and its light

be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.

May he come quickly and not delay.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

The blessing may conclude with a verse from

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:

O come, desire of nations, bind

in one the hearts of humankind;

bid ev’ry sad division cease

and be thyself our Prince of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.