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 on 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 a circle of evergreen set horizontally, with four candles spread around it. The wreath’s circular shape represents the everlasting love of God, and the evergreen represents a love that never dies. Some people will add one more candle to represent Jesus Christ in the center of the wreath. Candles are lit on Advent Sundays both at home and in the Church. On the first Sunday of Advent, you light just one candle; on the second Sunday, you light two, and so on for all four weeks. On Christmas Eve, all four candles are lit, along with the center candle.

November 30 is the First Sunday in Advent for 2025

History Advent Wreath

According to history, the first Advent Wreath was created by a Protestant Pastor, Johann Hinrich Wichern, who constructed it after the children at the mission kept asking, “How long until Christmas?” His wreath had small candles between the big ones so they could see each day go by—a bit like an Advent Calendar with lights.

In our home, my sister and I would take turns lighting the candles for Sunday Breakfast and then again for Afternoon Coffee. We set the Dining Room table with a festive tablecloth, good dishes, and the Advent Wreath.

On Christmas Eve, all the lights in the house would be turned off, and 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.
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Eucalyptus and Orange Advent Wreath – Advent Wreath – Christmas Table Centerpiece – Preserved Wreath

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 reused every year, as well as natural wreaths that are used once. (If you do this, save the decorations for when you build a new wreath next year.) You can also have a “wreath” made from wood or even metal.

Some more modern Advent Wreaths don’t even look like wreaths! These contemporary sculptures still have the necessary four candles.

Advent Wreath Meaning- Candles

Each candle holds symbolism.

Week 1—The Prophecy Candle represents the Prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold of Christ’s coming.

Week 2- The Bethlehem or Manger Candle, which represents Love.

Week 3– 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 Wreaths available: fresh greenery, hand-carved wood, or 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.

Advent Table Wreath: Faux Pine, Berries, 4 Candle Holders

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

One of the crazier issues I’ve come across online is 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 four larger white candles, with six smaller red candles between each white candle.

But today, Advent Wreaths generally have 4 or 5 candles. If there is a fifth, it’s in the center. The color depends on the person’s church denomination or the country they come from.

I grew up with Red Candles on our Advent Wreath. My mother was Catholic, and my father was Lutheran, so I don’t know whose tradition they followed. All I know is that many German families use red. Modern Advent Wreaths use many different colors, and it seems more 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 color for an Advent Wreath.

Adding to the religious 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 Christ’s sovereignty.

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 Catholic churches will have a Pink 3rd Candle to represent JOY on Gaudete Sunday. This represents 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.

Christmas Candle Holder Wreath, 20 inch Advent Centerpiece Decor, Candle Wreath Decorations for Table Indoor Home & ChurchHoliday Traditions Advent Wreath by Vermont Christmas CompanyRoman Ivory Poinsettia Christmas Advent Wreath (no Candles)MCEAST 12 Inch Christmas Centerpiece Wreath Candle Holder with Purple Ribbon, Bowknots, Pine Cones for Home and Church Decoration

18”Fresh Advent Christmas wreath, holiday decor, candle holder, holiday decoration, holiday table arrangement, home decorColonial Advent Wreath – Advent Wreath – Christmas Table Centerpiece – Preserved Wreath

Beautiful Advent Wreaths from the Erzgebirge

Carved wooden Advent Wreaths can be used again and again.

Advent Candlestick with Seiffen Church and fir Wreath, Nature 29 x 24 x 29 cm Ore Mountains Germany Handmade Handpaint (Advent Candlestick Without LED)Albin Preißler – Seiffener Kunsthandwerk Candle Holder – Nativity Natural – 20 cm / 7.9 inchAlbin Preissler Candle Holder – Angels Red – 19 cm / 7.5 inchAlbin Preissler Advent Candle Holder – Star, for Thick Candles Or Tea Candles, White – 19 cm / 7.5 inch

 

Vintage Erzgebirge Advent Wreaths

Erzgebirge Candleholder East German Red Wood 4 Arm Vintage Gold HornsVintage Erzgebirge Advent Wreath East Germany Wood Angels Wooden Angel Decoration Christmas Candle Holder GDR

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.

Cozy Advent candle holder made of Raysin with plug-in houses // Advent wreathChristmad Wreath 4-cup (Adv-24)Christmas Advent Wreath, Set of Four Birch Candles with Words Peace, Hope, Love, Joy, 4 Candle Farmhouse Advent Set, Includes Advent CandlesAdvent wreath wood Advent wreath teak Rustic Advent bowl Advent bowl wood approx. 30-40 cm

Wooden Advent Wreath: Scandinavian House Candle Holders, Set of 4Christmas Advent Wreath, Set of Four Birch Candles with Words Peace, Hope, Love, Joy, 4 CandleChunky Yarn Advent Wreath: Handmade Sustainable Christmas Decormodern minimalist Advent wreath made of oak and copper plus white table candle and mini fir candle holder wood

 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.

 

Taper Candle Holder Standard 1

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 – 2.7

Elite Christmas Products Advent Candle Set. Made in the USA Self Fitting End. Premium Hand Dipped Candles, Dripless, 4 pack – 3 purple, 1 pinkMuted Advent CandlesBe a Heart

4 pcs Red Set Taper Candle Candlesticks 7 ¾ (7.75 inch) Tall x 3/4 inch (0.75 inch) Diameter -for Dinner Table, Party or Wedding and Table Top décor. (4pc, Red)Hyoola Taper Candles – 7 Inch White Dripless, Unscented Dinner Candle – 30 Pack European Made Candles 6 Hour Burn Time

 

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.

 

Adventskränze selbst gemacht: Kreative Bastel- und Dekorationsideen für Adventszeit und Weihnachten (Weihnachtlich dekorieren und basteln) (German Edition)