Traditional German Advent Wreath – Count the Sundays before Christmas

The Advent Calendar isn’t the only way to mark the time before Christmas, in our home we always had a Traditional German Advent Wreath.  My mother would bring it out for the first Sunday of Advent, and the Holiday Season would officially begin in our home. I couldn’t understand why other (non-German) houses I visited didn’t have them… but then, other houses would have the Christmas tree set up right after Thanksgiving, so there was a lot I didn’t understand….

Advent, Advent,
ein Lichtlein brennt.
Erst eins, dann zwei,
dann drei, dann vier,
dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.

Und wenn das fünfte Lichtlein brennt,
dann hast du Weihnachten verpennt!

 

Advent Advent
A little light is burning
First one, then two
then three, then four
Then the Christ child will be at the door

(and the fun last line that older kids love)

And if a fifth little light burns
then you’ve overslept through Christmas

The Traditional German Advent Wreath

The traditional German Advent Wreath is usually a circle of evergreen set horizontally, with 4 candles spread around it. The wreath’s circular shape represents the everlasting love of God… and evergreen also represents a love that never dies. Often there will be one more candle, representing Jesus Christ, in the center. On each of the four Sundays before Christmas, an additional candle is lit. The candle lighting happens both in the Church and in the home. On the first Sunday of Advent, you light just one candle, on the second Sunday you light two…and so on. On Christmas Eve all four candles are lit, along with one more in the center.

December 3rd is the First Sunday in Advent for 2023

History Advent Wreath

According to history, the first Advent Wreath was constructed by a Protestant Pastor,  Johann Hinrich Wichern, who constructed it after the children from the mission kept asking “how long until Christmas”. In fact, his wreath had small candles between the big ones, so they could see each day go by.

In our home, my sister and I would take turns lighting the candles for Sunday Breakfast, and then again at Afternoon Coffee. The table would be set with a festive tablecloth, the good china, and the Advent Wreath.

On Christmas Eve… all the lights in the house would be turned off, my parents would light the tree and the candles on the Advent Wreath. That special feeling…. stillness and light… there is nothing quite like it in the world.

 

Advent Wreaths come in all Styles

Traditional pine wreaths are a beautiful centerpiece for your table. You can find artificial pine wreaths that can be used over and over, as well as natural wreaths that are used once…. and then you save the decorations to build a new wreath next year. Or, you can have a “wreath” that is made from wood or even metal.

Advent Wreath Meaning- Candles

Each candle holds symbolism.

Week 1- The Prophecy Candle, which represents the Prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold of Christ’s coming.
Week 2- The Bethlehem or Manger Candle, which represents Love.
Week3- The Shepherd’s Candle, which represents Joy.
Week 4- The Angel’s Candle, which represents Peace.

(and no fighting over who gets to light the candles! St. Nikolaus and the Christkind are watching!)

There are many different styles of Advent Wreath available. With fresh greenery, hand carved from wood, or even a plastic one that can be used over and over. You can make your own, or even let the kids make one. It’s all a matter of personal taste.

Star in the East Suspended Advent Wreath

 

Advent Wreath Candles… WHAT COLOR SHOULD THEY BE???

One of the crazier issues I’ve come across online… people arguing about what COLOR the Advent Wreath Candles should be. So, let me clear some of that up.
The ORIGINAL Advent Wreath constructed by Pastor Wichern had 4 larger white candles… and between each white candle, there were 6 smaller red candles.
But today Advent Wreaths generally have 4 (or maybe 5… the 5th in the center) candles. The color is dependent on the church or country.

I grew up with Red Candles on our Advent Wreath. My mother grew up Catholic, and my father was Lutheran, so I don’t know who they followed, all I know is many German families use red. Modern Advent Wreaths use many different colors, and it seems to be more of a question of what “fits” best with their particular style.

That said-

In European Protestant Churches, many Advent Wreaths have Red Candles.
In Germany, red is a traditional Advent Wreath color.
 To add to the religion confusion, Pope Benedict XVI had Red Candles on his Advent Wreath at the Vatican.
Around the world, in many Catholic or Protestant Churches , the candles match the Liturgical Vestments for the season. This is why you often see Purple or Violet Candles (Purple is the color of the season. It represents repentance and the sovereignty of Christ)
Some Anglican and American Methodist churches use Blue Candles (because the Lent season uses Purple, so they wanted to make it different. Blue represents Creation)
Some wreaths will have a Pink 3rd Candle (It represents JOY for Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. It’s a break from the penitential time.)
A White candle represents purity. (Often this one is found in the center, and represents Christ)

One of the best responses to the WHAT COLOR SHOULD ADVENT CANDLES BE?  Whatever color you like. It’s the feeling behind lighting a candle in anticipation of Christmas. Not the color of the candle.

Traditional Advent Wreaths

In Germany, Advent Candles are generally RED… often in the US you will find them in Purple. It depends on the church. You can even find white…Candles  available below.

Advent wreath – Red magic with nuts – approx. 35 cmAdvent Christmas Wreath with Candle HoldersModern Advent Wreath, Catholic Advent Wreath with Purple Pink Candles,Advent Wreath for Dining Table

Beautiful Advent Wreaths from the Erzgebirge

Carved wooden Advent Wreaths can be used again and again.

Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft World of Light Candle Holder Advent Four Sitting Angels with Wood chip Tree – 22x19cm / 8.7×7.5inch – Albin PreisslerAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft World of Light Candle Holder Advent red with Christmas Star – 22x22x19cm / 9x9x7inch – Albin PreisslerAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft World Light Candle Holder Advent red – 29x29x26cm / 11.4×11.4×10.2inch – Albin Preissler

Vintage Erzgebirge Advent Wreaths

Vintage Advent Candle HolderVintage German Angel Advent WreathVintage Erzgebirge Germany Christmas Wooden Angels Advent wreathVintage Erzgebirge Expertic Candle Holder – Music-making Angels – Candlesticks – Advent Wreath

 

Different Styles of Advent Wreaths

More modern takes on Advent Wreaths… some aren’t even wreath shaped! But all are quite beautiful and keep the meaning alive.

Modern Advent wreathHandmade GOLD pinecone Advent WreathAdvent WreathAdvent Apple Wreath – Advent Wreath – Christmas Table Centerpiece

 

Advent wreath wood Advent wreath teak Rustic Advent bowl Advent bowl wood 30 cm

 

Wooden Advent wreath Candle holder set of 4 pcsChristmas Advent Wreath, Set of Four Birch Candles with Words Peace, Hope,Love and JoyChunky yarn Advent Wreathreusable LED Advent wreath with candles, SOFORT available, battery operatedAdvent Wreath Candle Holder,minimalist Advent wreath in oak and copper plus table candle white and mini fir candle holder woodAdvent Wreath Candle Holder / Wooden Candle Holder

 

Advent Wreath Candle Holders….

Simple so you can fill in your own Greenery and Candles

Use the ring as a base. Build greenery around it, and you have a home made wreath! Or just set it on the table to keep things simple.

Advent Wreath RingChristmas Silver Advent Ring Wreath. for Advent and X-mas Candle Candles Holder Décor Decorations

 

Advent Wreath Candle Holders

Another way to make an Advent Wreath is to add special candle holders to a wreath. A few ribbons or other bits of greenery, and done! I did this last year with a live wreath I picked up from Trader Joes. I inserted the candle holders, added a nice ribbon, and it was perfect. Amazon Germany has a great selection, and they ship to the US

4 Stück Weihnachten Adventskranz Kerzenhalter 7,5 cm/ 2,95 Zoll Kranz Metall Kerzenständer Adventskranz Kerzenstecker für DIY Kranz Advent Weihnachten Tisch Dekoration (Silber)AMAZON.DEAdventskranz Kerzenhalter,Retro Gold Adventskerzenhalter Metall Kerzenleuchter 4 Stück , für Adventskranz Weihnachten Kerzenteller Mit DornAMAZON.DEGlorex 6 7021 001 – Kerzenhalter silber, mit Teelichtglas, 4 Stück, ca. 4 x 9 cm groß, zur Gestaltung von Gestecken und KränzenAMAZON.DETaper Candle Holder Standard 1

Add Numbers to your candles…

Adventszahlen 1-4 für Advent Kerzen Deko Edelrost Adventskränze WeihnachtenAMAZON.DEAdventskranz Zahlen aus Holz – DIY Adventskranz – Zur Dekoration der Kerzen mit den Zahlen 1-4 – Set 5AMAZON.DE

Don’t forget the Advent Candles

While Red is more traditional in Germany, in the US we see more purples to match the liturgical garments. You can get Candles directly from Germany, but fair warning, shipping costs are high.

HYOOLA White Pillar Candles 2-inch x 4-inch – Unscented Pillar Candles – Set of 4 – European MadeAdvent Candles Set of 4 – Made in The USA- None Drip Advent Pillar Candles – Unscented Purple & Pink Rustic Candles for Church and Home Advent Décor Decoration – Advent Wreaths Rings Candle HoldersHYOOLA Red Pillar Candles 2-inch x 4-inch – Unscented Pillar Candles – Set of 4 – European MadeSPAAS White Pillar Candles – 4 Pack | 2×3” Small Pillar Candles for Lantern Home Décor, Kitchen Decoration, Fireplace, Wedding Aesthetic, Centerpiece | Non Scented Decorative Pillar CandlesSPAAS Rustic Red Pillar Candles – 2.7Amusaer 2×3 Inch Advent Pillar Candles Set of 4 Unscented Dripless Purple Pink Candles for Christmas Weddings Home Holidays Relaxation Spa Church

Elite Christmas Products Advent Candle Set. Made in the USA Self Fitting End. Premium Hand Dipped Candles, Dripless, 4 pack – 3 purple, 1 pinkDarice All Purpose Unscented Taper Candles, 7-Inch, Red, 7-Pack

Make Your OWN Advent Wreath

These Kindle books that you can download today are loaded with great ideas for making your own special Advent Wreath.

 

Das Weihnachtsnähbuch: Geschenke & Deko für Advent und Weihnachten (German Edition)Adventskränze selbst gemacht: Kreative Bastel- und Dekorationsideen für Adventszeit und Weihnachten (Weihnachtlich dekorieren und basteln) (German Edition)