Origins of the Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath's origins go back to the pre-Germanic people who used wreaths with lit candles during the cold days of December as a sign of hope, according to an article by the Rev. William Saunders in the "Arlington Catholic Herald." He also wrote that the Scandinavians would light candles that were placed around a wheel to pray to the god of light to restore warmth and lengthen the days.

The Germanic people incorporated the wreath into the Christian season of Advent. The circular shape of the wreath is a representation of eternal life. The four candles - three purple and one pink/rose - are signs of light, with the purple candles, which are lighted on the first, second and fourth Sundays in Advent, indicating that the season is a time of prayer, and the rose/pink candle is for rejoicing on the third Sunday, which is also called Gaudete Sunday.

The use of the Advent wreath didn't become popular in Europe until the 19th century, and it became a tradition in the early 20th century in America when many German immigrants arrived.