Many of us light candle wreaths during the Advent season. Where did this tradition originate and how did it come to be such a long-standing part of our Catholic traditions? Well…

There was a pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern who, in the 1800s, kept being asked by his students when Christmas would arrive. To help them count the days, he built a wreath with small candles that would be lit every weekday and Saturday during Advent. Each Sunday, a large white candle would be lit. 

What we know as a modern Advent wreath is a refined version of Wichern’s: woven evergreen with four tall candles — three purple, one pink — placed within. Each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit. 

These wreaths represent Advent’s “coming” with each candle symbolizing a virtue: hope, love, joy, and peace. As they're lit, they invite us to reflect on the beauty of the Advent season and the gift of Christ as the light of the world.

5 Meaningful Characteristics of a Traditional Advent Wreath

#1 - Flame

The Advent season is all about welcoming the light of Christ’s return. It’s like in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden." Christ's light is vast, undimmable, and undeniable. Lighting the Advent wreath’s candles is a physical way of reminding us of His light. The flames give physical and spiritual light during the dark days of winter by casting away darkness and delivering warmth.

#2 - Candles

The candles on the Advent wreath represent different things: hope, love, joy, and peace. As they're lit, they invite us to reflect on those things in our lives with both repentance and joy as the Advent season progresses. The more candles that are lit, the greater the light that casts away darkness.

#3 - Color

There are three main colors you see for Advent candles: purple, pink, and white. Purple is traditionally a common celebratory color during Advent. The shade is representative of repentance and royalty, inviting us to both bow our heads and lift our hands in celebration of Christ’s Advent return. The first, second, and fourth candles of Advent are purple. 

Pink is the color used for the third candle and third Sunday of Advent. In the Catholic Church, this day is known as Gaudete Sunday. In this context, pink represents absolute joy. It signals a shift between the first and second parts of Advent from repentance toward rejoicing.

When there's a fifth candle, it's commonly white. Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the color of this candle is representative of Jesus Christ and his sinless, pure, pristine nature.

#4 - Shape

When we think of Christ, we think of his eternal purity, his never ending devotion. As Christ is eternal, the round shape of the Advent wreath is eternal: there is no beginning and no end, only the journey. The shape of the wreath is a reminder of Christ's boundless life and love.

#5 - Evergreen Wreaths

Advent wreaths are traditionally composed of evergreen boughs. In the beginning, worshippers were just using what was plentiful and available. Now, however, the material has been given added meaning because of the way it symbolizes life. After all, evergreen remains verdant even in the coldest, darkest winters, just like our love and worship of Christ.

Reflecting on the Advent Season

The Advent season is a time for reflection, repentance, and celebration. It invites us to contemplate the true meaning of Christmas and the true significance of Christ’s return. 

We’re able to cast away darkness and come together in love with every candle we light during Advent. Prepare yourself for the upcoming Advent season with our traditional Pinecone Advent Wreath.