Traditional German Advent Wreath – An Advents Kranz to 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….

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, a candles are lit. The candle lighting happens both in 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.

History Advent Wreath

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.

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 “Kugli” of dark wood, red balls and small elements of artificial flowers and mossAdvent Wreath

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 is 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.

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 Calendars 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.

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 rpresents 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? Question is …. Whatever color you like. It’s the feeling behind lighting a candle in anticipation of Christmas. Not the color of the candle. 

December 2nd is the First Sunday in Advent for 2018

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. Candles in Red or Purple available below.

Advent wreath SpicesAdvent Wreath Willow branchAdvent wreath, Christmas wreath, table wreathChristmas wreath, advent wreath, table wreath, large Christmas wreath

Purple Ribbon Advent WreathRoman Champagne Berry Christmas Advent WreathBerry Advent Wreath

Wooden Advent Wreaths

These fantastic Advent wreaths were carved in the Erzgebirge in Germany. They can be used over and over, and become family heirlooms.

World of Light Candle holder advent four sitting angels with wood chip tree – 22x19cm / 8.7×7.5inch – Albin PreisslerAdvent candle holder red for tea lights candle holder 40cm Seiffen Ore Mountains NEWAdvent candlestick snow man candlestick candlestick manual work Erzgebirge NEW 201/111

Modern Advent Wreaths

I love the different styles on the tradition. Whether you prefer a modern look or something more rustic. There really is something for every household.

Advent wreathAdvent wreath.XXL Ahoj-2012 ball-Advent Wreath5 Hole Medium Cedar Round Advent WreathA super original Advent Wreath | Christmas Decorations | BookRustic Advent WreathAdvent Wreath

Vintage Ceramic Advent Wreaths

These Vintage Ceramic Advent Candle holders are quite lovely. You can fill the center with candies, ornaments, cookies or pine cones… or just leave it empty..

Hummel © by W. Goebel W. Germany 1962. Beautiful Advent bowlAdd it to your favorites to revisit it later. Favorite image 0 image 1 image 2 image 3 image 4 image 5 image 6 image 7 image 8 ????zoom JASBA 1914-20 Vintage Ceramic plug-in, Advent WreathVintage Ceramic Advent Bowl JASBA form 3051 20Advent bowl instead Advent wreath: small shell shaped like a boat made of green ceramic for 4 candles

Advent Wreath Candle Holders….

beautiful as they are, or you can fill in your own Greenery and Candles

Mega Candles – Wreath Advent Ring Taper Metal Candle Holder – GoldMetal Christmas Advent Wreath Candleholder With Candles 66644Biedermann & Sons Brass Snowflake Advent Ring Candle Holder

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 for the patio table.

10 Silver Advent Wreath Christmas Candle Holders Made In Germanyhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/242840815/10-gold-advent-wreath-christmas-candle

&

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.

Elite Christmas Products Advent Candle Set. Made in the USA Self Fitting End. Premium Hand Dipped Candles, Dripless, 4 pack – 3 purple, 1 pinkRed German Advent Candles Big 22.5mm CDD050X700XRDarice 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)

Pictures Advent Wreaths

Of course you don’t have to have a traditional German Advent Wreath… all you really need are four candles and some imagination.
For more tips and DIY projects take a look at these pages-
DIY Advent Wreaths- http://www.lecker.de/weihnachten/weihnachtsdeko/bildergalerie-1999808-weihnachtsdeko/Adventskranz-basteln-stimmungsvolle-Ideen-zum-Selbermachen.html
DIY Advent Wreath- http://ao.com/life/home/crafts/diy-advent-candle-tins/