The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the
pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness
of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires
as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.
Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics
and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate
their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the
use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world.
Traditionally,the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three
candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or
four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles
are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first
week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short
prayer may accompany the lighting.
