The Advent Wreath is a familiar Catholic custom.

What are its origins? What do the colors of the candles mean? Learn more about the Advent Wreath here.

The Advent Wreath

The custom of the Advent wreath dates back to the folk practices of people in early cultures who gathered evergreen wreaths and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. In ancient Rome, people decorated houses and public buildings with evergreen wreaths and garland to welcome a New Year.

Christians continued to practice these traditions and by the 16th century, Catholics and Protestants throughout eastern Europe used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ. The use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world.

The Advent Wreath represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Each year in Advent, people wait in darkness for the coming of the Lord.

The Advent wreath holds four candles, one for each week of Advent. Three candles are violet or purple, the traditional color of Advent, to symbolize waiting, expectation and preparation. A fourth candle is rose or pink and is lit the Third Sunday of Advent. The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Latin for Rejoice) Sunday. Rose symbolizes the theme of the Third Sunday of Advent - Joy. A white candle, reserved for lighting on Christmas Eve, may be added to the wreath.

The four Sundays of Advent have special themes. The First Sunday of Advent is Hope. The Second Sunday of Advent is Peace. The Third Sunday of Advent is Joy. The Fourth Sunday of Advent is Love.

Each day at home, the candles are lighted, one candle the first week and then another each succeeding week until December 25. We light the candles of the Advent wreath as we pray for the Holy Spirit to calm our spirits and to prepare our hearts for the coming Christmas season.

Advent Wreath Symbols

The circular form of the wreath - God has no beginning or end.

The evergreen - God comes to us with new life.

The four candles - the four weeks of Advent.

The unlighted candles - the dark ages before Christ's coming.

The lighted candles - Christ, the Light of the World. Lighting one more candle each week represents that the coming Christ is closer.

Advent Wreath Blessing

Loving God, you give us this time of Advent to reflect upon your ever-unfolding mystery of salvation. In lighting the candles of this wreath, we ask your blessings upon us --- enlighten us in this grace-filled season to appreciate the unfolding Christmas story.

You sent us Jesus your Son, the Light of the world, to dispel the darkness within us and in the world around us. Let the light of this Advent wreath warm the coldness of our hearts and brighten our minds to truly live your love, not only to those near and dear to us, but to all your people in need. We ask this through Christ, our brother and savior. 

Amen.