The message of the Advent wreath

By Helen Jesze, 4th December 2015

„The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined“

Isaiah 9: 2 American Standard Version

I had never seen Advent wreaths until I went to live in Switzerland and Germany. It is a beautiful custom, very decorative and the wreath has significant meanings. When we are in England for Christmas, we do not always have a wreath, but we will have one as we are in Germany this year. Our wreath this time is not round, but has four chunky red candles standing in a straight line on fir twigs, decorated with red ribbon, gold and silver sprayed fir cones and small red shiny balls, which reflect the light.

Recently I found out that the concept of the Advent wreath or Advent crown originated among German Lutherans in the 16th Century. However, it was not until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took shape. Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in city mission work among the poor is looked upon as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath in the 19th century.

During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus which he had founded in Hamburg, kept asking if Christmas had arrived. So in 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 20 small red and 4 large white candles. One small candle was lit every weekday during Advent, then on Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom spread among Protestant and Catholic churches in Germany and later developed into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today, and has spread around the world. Nowadays Advent is seen as the lead up to Christmas, and the Advent Wreath reminds us of the approach of the feast and of Jesus’ coming.

Forms of the Advent wreath

Nowadays wreaths are made of natural or artificial materials, but traditionally, the wreath was made of branches or twigs from various trees or bushes. Even these evergreens hold spiritual lessons for us. Laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. The holly’s prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns and its red berries of the blood which Jesus shed for us.

The circle of the wreath with no beginning or end is a symbol of eternity, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world and became a true man, victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. In some churches three candles are purple and one is rose. Progressively lighting the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming.

The burning candles signify Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition which is done in some families is that on the first Sunday of Advent, one of the children lights the first wreath candle at dinner time, after the blessing of the food, and the father has prayed a special prayer. The same is done on each successive week in Advent, until all four candles are lit.

For many of us, Advent is a time of rushing from shop to shop to buy presents, unless we have done what my friend used to do – in the January sales she bought all her presents for the following Christmas!! Or perhaps you are an internet shopper or even send gift-cards, which can also be helpful. Then there is deciding what will be on the Christmas menu and who we shall invite for Christmas dinner (or who we can get out of inviting!), attending special church Christmas functions and parties, going to the school play and agonising when our little Johnny or Susey forgets their lines, although they said them perfectly the night before!

Or Advent and Christmas may be something you are not looking forward to. Someone you love is no longer there and you dread this time which is traditionally supposed to be joyful, wondering how you will ever make it through. Or perhaps all the family is there but finances will not stretch to presents this year, or not the presents which they want. You feel a failure and a bad provider and that you have let them down.

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath, its meaning and its prayers provide us a way to underline this special preparation for Christmas. Further, this good tradition helps us to always be reminded in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

With modern governments trying to take the CHRIST out of Christmas, making it merely a commercial holiday, let’s determine this year to not get caught up in the bustle, but to listen to the message of the Advent wreath – the time when we celebrate His birth is coming! As the light grows brighter each time another candle is lit, so our hearts can rejoice that not did only He come but all Heaven is preparing for His Second Coming – He’s on His way! Let’s prepare our hearts for that great event!

I wish you could all come to tea on this first Sunday of Advent. The first candle on our wreath would be lit, its flame reflecting in the panes of the window glass, cheering the wintry grey day, and with a good cup of the best brew (or coffee if you prefer!) we would enjoy slices of that delicious German Christmas cake – „Stollen“!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into the darkness of our world. Shine into our hearts in a new way in this time of Advent, and shine your warmth and comfort into the hearts of those who are burdened and sad at this time. We rejoice because you came and thank you for your great love! Help us to remember your coming in a new, real way this Advent.
Amen.