Wreath displayed in
churches and
homes during
Advent Season, adopted from a
pagan solstice tradition by
Lutheran Christians in
Eastern Europe during the
1500s. Consists of a
ring of
evergreen branches and five
candles. Different traditions set differently colored candles around the wreath - one common wreath has three
purple candles and one
rose-colored candle around the outside, with a
white candle at the
center. One Candle is lit every Sunday during Advent: a purple one on the first Sunday of Advent, two purple on the second Sunday, two purple plus the rose-colored candle on the third Sunday, and so on until during the fourth week all four candles are lit. The white candle is lit as well on either
Christmas Eve or
Christmas Day. This candle will continue to be lighted all through the 12 days of Christmas.
This progression of light represents the coming of the light of Christ into the world. The circle of the evergreen wreath represents eternal life.