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The Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath may have originated in the pre-Christian customs of the northern European peoples, between the fourth and sixth centuries AD. During the cold and dark of December, people would collect wreaths of evergreen branches, and lit candles as a sign of hope in the coming of spring.
By the seventeenth century, Lutherans and Catholics were using this symbol during Advent: those ancient customs contained a grain of truth that now grew to express the supreme Truth: Jesus Christ is the light that has come, who is with us and will come with glory. The candles point to the coming of the true Light at Christmas: Jesus Christ. This custom now symbolizes Advent in Christian homes.
The Advent Wreath, whose four candles are lit progressively, Sunday after Sunday until the feast of Christmas, is a reminder of the different stages of the history of salvation before Christ, and symbolizes the prophetic light that enlightened the night of waiting until the Sun of Justice dawned (cf. Malachy 3:20; Luke 1:78).
The Symbolism
- The circular shape: a circle has neither beginning nor end, and so symbolizes eternity.
- The green branches symbolize hope and life.
- The four candles, lit progressively on the four Sundays of Advent, symbolize light amidst darkness. The salvation brought by Jesus Christ is a light for everyone’s life.
- The color red symbolizes God’s love.
- The Advent Wreath may be blessed by a priest
Wath here a video on How to make an Advent Wreath.
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