History & tradition of the Advent wreath

  • Thread starter Thread starter Big_Feet
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Big_Feet

Guest
Where/when are the origins of the Advent wreath? How did it develop?
 
In short it originates from the Lutheran church in Germany. It gradually spread across tother denominations in Europe, only reaching the US in the 1930s.
 
liturgyluver said:
In short it originates from the Lutheran church in Germany. It gradually spread across tother denominations in Europe, only reaching the US in the 1930s.
Click to expand...
This, and I’ve always read that the Lutherans adopted it in the mid- to late-19th century, to add some context.
 
This site may help:

The Advent Wreath, with its four candles fixed on a circle of evergreens, has its roots in pagan northern Europe, which the Lutherans first adopted as a Christian symbol. The circle represents the never-ending cycle of seasons while the evergreens symbolise the persistence of life even during winter. Christian symbolism differ slightly: the circle represents the the eternity of God while the evergreens tells of Jesus, who death could not conquer. The four candles are lit one every Sunday, causing all candles to be of different heights by the end of the season. There are three purple candles and a pink/rose one for the Third Sunday of Advent. Sometimes, there is a fifth white candle in the middle to symbolise Christ, and is lit on Christmas Day or Christmas eve.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top