A few days ago I set out to discover the meaning behind the traditional Advent Wreath. What I found was that traditions vary widely depending on your denomination. One thing we all agree on is that the wreath is used to mark the 4 Sundays (weeks) leading up to Christmas. The lighting of the candles is usually accompanied by the reading of scripture, singing of hymns and/or prayer.
The rest of it is not so “simple” at all.
The Candles & Their Colors can vary:
- Deep Red (4)
- White (4 or 5)
- Purple/Blue (3), Pink (1), & White (1)
The Meaning of Each Candle can vary, but the most common ones are:
- Hope
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Faith
- Expectation
- Purity (if 5 candles are used this is a white one in the center)
- Another tradition views the symbolism as Prophecy, Bethlem, Shepards, Angels & Christ (for more on this CLICK HERE for a blog that will go deeper into this in the coming weeks
The Wreath itself:
- The circle of evergreen branches is God’s endless love for us.
- Holly berries symbolize the blood of Christ
- Pinecones are a promise of new life
No matter how you incorporate an Advent wreath into your home church, I pray that you spend this advent season meditating on the birth of Jesus and that you will find true JOY in a loving relationship with the Savior.
