Advent Wreath

The Advent Wreath, which is a relatively new practice (popularized by Lutherans beginning in the 1800's) has become one of my favorite elements in Christmas  season worship. Because the roots of Advent Wreath are not found in a single passage of Scripture or an any specific Biblical teaching,  the specifics details of how an Advent Wreath is used in worship varies greatly. In general, however, an Advent Wreath follows the general pattern described below:

Advent Wreaths are usually round, to symbolize God's unending love, and, when made of evergreen branches, they symbolize eternal life in Christ.  One that I have often used is a simple round loop of gold-colored metal, which can symbolize God's unending love and Christ's Royalty.

Advent Wreaths usually have four candles arrayed around their perimeter, one for each  week of Advent. These candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.  Although other colors can be used, often three of these candles are purple and one is rose; these represent:

• Week 1 (Purple): Hope
• Week 2 (Purple): Peace
• Week 3 (Rose): Joy
• Week 4: (Purple): Love

A white candle can be positioned the center of the wreath and is lit on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day; it can be called "The Christ Candle."

Like Christmas trees, Chrismon trees, or "the Hanging of the Greens," Advent Wreaths are a lovely part of our modern Christmas worship practice. None of these are absolutely necessary, and all of them require interpretation and explanation so that their meaning and symbolism is understood, but  personally, I think that they make worship during the Christmas season more meaningful and beautiful.

Every blessing,

Dr. Otis Corbitt