Meaning of the Christmas Advent Wreath
By : Evangelist Joe Collins
The Meaning of the Christmas Wreaths and Advent Wreaths :
History of the Advent Wreath :
The Advent wreath is a part of our long-standing tradition and history of the Christian Church of Jesus Christ. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them, however, the actual origins are somewhat uncertain as of where this act of remembrance and worship of God comes from. There is some evidence out there of a pre-Christian tradition using a wreath and candles by a Germanic peoples that would light the candles in the wreath during the days of December, to be a symbol of hope and faith that the days of spring would bring warmth again to their land and that the sun would stay out longer during the day, occurred. In Scandinavia rituals to a god of light that they worshiped, the people would light candles and place them around a wheel during the winter season during the year, and pray to this god of light that he/she/it would turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to make the days longer again and to bring warmth back to the area..
By the Middle Ages, we find a lot of history and facts and evidence that Christians were using wreaths in tradition, as well as, a symbol of remembrance of Christ and aspects of the Christian faith. History shows us that by about the 1600’s, both Catholics and Lutherans (The two dominant christian groups during that time) were using the advent wreathes as part of their preparation for Christmas. Both groups had begun to make Christmas a more formal practice in the setting of the church and it’s people and by doing so, added the advent wreath into it as well.
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ, but they are also still used in ceremonial events in many other cultures around the globe.
The first known association with these now modern day wreaths dates back to the Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century. In 1839, JohannHinrich Wichern used a wreath made from a cart wheel to educate children about the meaning and purpose of Christmas, as well as to help them count its approach. For every Sunday of Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, he would put a white candle in the wreath and for every day in between he would use a red candle.
Since then, all wreaths, whether placed on a door, table or anywhere, finds its history; its past; its origins, from the Church and the Advent Wreath!
Wreaths found in Scripture :
During the times of the Bible (about a 6000 yr span), there were wreaths as well. They had two types. Most famously known is the Greek/Roman gold metal leaflet wreaths one would wear around their head, but the secondary, less famous one, is the wreath we know of today that we decorate and put out during holidays or at funerals. Though there are a few scriptures about wreaths in general, I will post only the scriptures about the wreaths we know of today. The references are 1 Kings 7:29, 1 Kings 7:30, and 1 King 7:36.
Symbols of Remembrance :
The symbolism of the Advent wreath is a great reminder of Christ and the ideologies of the Christian faith, and because of all the many things it symbolizes and helps us remember, it can be somewhat lengthily to remember.
First, the Advent wreath, as a whole, symbolizes the first coming of Christ 2000 years ago and our preparation (waiting) for the second coming of Christ and His earthly kingdom He will establish. Advent, itself, stands for for “Come” and “Arrival”. Christ has come and has paid the price for our salvation, and He will Arrive again as Scriptures state.
Advent wreaths are usually an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring of sorts. Now depending on whether or not, you are making a plain wreath or an advent wreath will determine whether or not you have candles in it. Candles are usually only in Advent wreaths because they are there more for remembrance purposes and acts of worship then just for looks. The circular shape of the wreath (ring) has no beginning or end and therefore best represents God, Who, like the ring, has no beginning and no end. The ‘ring’ has also meant to some the symbol of Christ’s love for us, being that His love is eternal.
Now Advent wreaths are usually made from evergreens to represent everlasting (eternal) life brought through Jesus Christ because evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters and never die. The evergreens also symbolize ‘Strength’ that we find in Christ Jesus, because Evergreens seem to never give up and die during the winter season unlike all other trees who give up their leaves and appear dead.
Most, if not all Advent Wreaths, have holly in it one way or another whether it is holly branches or just holly berries or both. Holly branches have thorns and when used in a wreath it represents the thorns on Jesus’ crown when he was crucified for our sins. Bright red holly berries symbolize the droplets of Jesus’ blood that was shed for us.
A Christmas Wreath, unlike the Advent Wreath, has a meaning that can be ‘added’ to it if hung up on a door (the front door preferably). The door is where someone is welcomed into the home, house, or building. Christ welcomes us to salvation if we choose to accept it, just like we are welcomed to enter into the home, house, or building if we so choose. Also, the wreath hangs on the door, like Christ hung on the cross for our sins, another symbol to remember!
The middle of the wreath (Christmas & Advent) is bare and is an empty space. This symbolizes to us to remember what life would be like for us as christians without Christ’s love and grace, and how the world is to those who are not saved.
Pine cones, nuts, or any type of seeds used to decorate the wreath symbolize the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the life and resurrection that we have now, as well.
The Candles and their meanings :
The four candles in the wreath represent the four weeks of Advent. The fifth candle, sits in the middle of the empty space of the center of the wreath represents Christ, Himself. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until our Savior’s Birth, Jesus Christ. But each candle also has its own name and its own symbols as well.
Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. However, some may use blue in place of the purple.
- 1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
- 2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)
- 3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)
- 4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
- 5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! Being placed in the center of the ’empty space’ also is a physical reminder that Christ came down from heaven and entered into our world for our salvation. When the candle is lit, it reminds us that Christ is the light of the world! After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29)
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.‘” (John 3:1-8)
This family practice this a good tradition that helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, Christ Jesus.
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