Advent wreath: history, meaning and when to light the candles

27 Oct Advent wreath: history, meaning and when to light the candles

An Advent wreath is one of the loveliest signs of waiting: every Sunday one more candle is lit until Christmas arrives. Advent lasts four weeks – it begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. If you are looking for a ready-made wreath, have a look at our Christmas wreaths made from fresh fir branches.

The upcoming Sundays of Advent:

• 1st Sunday of Advent – 29 November 2026
• 2nd Sunday of Advent – 6 December 2026
• 3rd Sunday of Advent – 13 December 2026
• 4th Sunday of Advent – 20 December 2026

Where the Advent wreath comes from

Evergreens have long been seen as a sign of life in winter – their green reminded people that the darkest time of the year would pass. The Advent wreath as we know it today, however, was invented by the German Lutheran pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern. In 1839, at the Rauhes Haus children’s home in Hamburg, he fixed candles to a large wooden cartwheel: small red ones for every day of Advent and four large white ones for the Sundays. This way the children could see each day how long they still had to wait for Christmas.

Later the wreaths became smaller, with four candles, and began to be made from evergreen branches. German Catholics adopted the custom in the 1920s, and over time the Advent wreath became common in many countries, including Lithuania.

What the Advent wreath symbolises

• The circle has no beginning and no end, so it stands for eternity and God’s infinite love.
• Evergreen branches – life and hope in the middle of winter.
• The four candles – the approaching light; they are often associated with hope, peace, joy and love.

When to light the Advent candles

Light one candle on the first Sunday of Advent, two on the second, three on the third, and on the fourth Sunday all four are burning. The candles are usually lit when the family gathers – at dinner or during a quiet conversation.

Which candle colours to choose? In the Catholic tradition three violet candles and one rose candle are used – the rose one is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete (“Rejoice”). At home many people choose white, red or candles that match the wreath’s decorations – there are no strict rules.

Advent wreath or Christmas wreath?

An Advent wreath traditionally lies on a table and holds four candles. A Christmas wreath without candles is hung on a door, wall or window and welcomes guests throughout the festive season. You can use the same fir wreath both ways – double-sided wreaths work best on a table, as they look beautiful from every side.

Safety and when to take the wreath down

• Place candles in non-flammable holders or glass candle holders so the flame cannot reach the branches and ribbons.
• Never leave burning candles unattended and keep them away from children and pets.
• Fir branches dry out within a few weeks and become more flammable, so later on LED candles are the safer choice.

The Advent wreath serves its purpose until Christmas, while a door wreath is often left up until Epiphany (6 January). How to keep your wreath beautiful for longer is explained in our article on how to care for a Christmas wreath.

Frequently asked questions