The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Symbolism of Advent wreath an invitation to celebrate
The Advent wreath is a long-standing Christian tradition that marks the four weeks preceding the celebration of Christmas. However, the origins of the Advent wreath are mysterious. The Pre-Christian German peoples lit candles on wreaths during the coldest and dark December days as a sign of hope in order to pray for future warmth and extended sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia lighted candles were placed on a wheel and prayers were recited to the “god of light” to turn “the wheel back” to the sun in order to lengthen the days and restore warmth again. By the Middle Ages the Church had adapted this tradition and used Advent wreaths as a spiritual preparation for Christmas since Christ is “the light that came into the world” (John 3:19) to dispel the darkness of sin. By the 16th Century the use of the wreath was adopted by both the Catholic and Lutheran Churches.
Since Advent is related closely to the birth of Christ, it should be recognized as an important and different joyous feast from Christmas. The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming.” During this season we look forward to the coming of Jesus at Christmas, but also to his Second Coming as well. In our modern world, Advent is a forgotten season since Christmas is celebrated so early in our consumerist world starting as far back as “Christmas in July” and also Christmas bargains as early as before Thanksgiving. However, Advent is a very powerful and important season to be celebrated joyously with the wonderful and meaningful Advent wreath.
There is great symbolism found in the Advent wreath. The circular shape of the wreath that has no beginning or end and the evergreens which make up the wreath signify God’s eternity, the immortality of the soul and eternal life in Jesus Christ. The laurel on the evergreens signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine and holly represent immortality and cedar points to strength and healing. The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. Pine cones that decorate the wreath symbolize life and resurrection. In summing up, the wreath signifies the immortality of our soul, the resurrection and the new, everlasting life with God in heaven.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each candle represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of Jesus Christ. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles symbolize prayer, penance and sacrifices and good works done during this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest wears rose vestments at Mass. It is a Sunday of joy and happiness since we are at the halfway point of the season, closer and closer to the birth of Our Savior. The Latin word “Gaudete” translates into English as “rejoicing.” The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the hope surrounding our Lord’s birth and the anticipation of his second coming to judge us all. Some modern adaptations include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is to replace the three purple and rose candles with four white candles at Christmas time, and they will all be lit throughout the Christmas season representing Christ as the Light of the world.
The next time we look at the lighted candles on the Advent wreath, we should call to mind the invitation to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming at Christmas and for his Second Coming as we should be filled with joy and hope since “Jesus, the true light, which enlightens everyone, is coming into the world” (John 1:9).
The Rev. Gus Puleo is pastor of St. Patrick Church in Norristown and serves as director of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Norristown High School and attended Georgetown University, where he received B.A. and B.S. in Spanish and linguistics. He has master’s degrees in Spanish, linguistics and divinity from Middlebury College, Georgetown University and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania.