The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. A Lutheran minister created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles inside the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays and the four white candles were lit on Sundays. Eventually, the Advent wreath was created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter and death because the evergreen remains continuously green. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible.
The Advent wreath of today is a symbol of the season, with a candle lit each of the four Sundays leading up to, and on Christmas Day. The light of the flickering candles reminds us who Jesus is: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) Holly and berries are often added, and the red color points ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice and death on the cross, shedding His blood for our sins. Families begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they light another candle each Sunday. Surrounding the four purple or blue candles is a white candle in the center. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day.
The miracle of Advent is the central belief of Christianity – not that we love God, but that the triune God loves us. May we receive the gift of God’s love as strength to keep alert and awake as we respond each day to God and neighbor. (Mark 13:24-37)
Create your own Advent wreath and make it a family tradition to light a candle each Sunday. Often the first, second and fourth candles are purple and the third candle is rose-colored. Whatever colors you use, place one in the center to represent Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day, and this candle is usually white. The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The second candle represents faith and is often called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The center candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s Candle”.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we long for your plan of rescue and redemption to be realized. Give us hearts that see Your beauty and wait in hope for you to make all things good and new again. Amen!
John 1:4-5 – “In Him was life, and that light was the light of all mankind. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Adobe iStock
