I grew up in a family of Lutheran background. Today, I still feel quite connected to my faith and traditions. Part of that tradition is the Advent Wreath; something one can find in many Christian homes and most churches in the month leading up to Christmas. As a child, I was always captivated by the Wreath, and as a young adult a lot of people ask me about its significance. The Wreath is symbolic in several ways, but also carries sentimental value for many individuals, including myself.
The construction of the Advent Wreath is quite simple, although I have seen elaborate wreaths that must have required days of labour to put together. Basically, it consists of some evergreen boughs wrapped to form a circle, with four candles placed upright in the wreath. Although the idea developed from pagan roots, the wreath has taken on new meaning with the advent of Christianity. As a Christian symbol, the Advent Wreath originated in Germany, home of Martin Luther, where is was called an Adventskranz. Over time, it was adopted by many different Christian denominations but is still closest to the heart of the Lutheran tradition.
As a child, I always thought the Advent Wreath was just a wonderful example of beauty, and it reminded me of Sunday School pictures of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and the Wise Men under the Star of Bethlehem. But as my faith education progressed, the wreath took on a bigger meaning.The greenery of the wreath reminds me of the world we live in, but also of the eternal nature of God, embodied in the circle of leaves which do not fall. The four candles also have a two-fold symbolism. Advent begins four Sundays prior to the Feast of Christmas on the first day of the church year. On each of these four Sundays one candle is lit on the Advent Wreath in homes and churches around the world. The lighting of each new candle symbolizes a growing light of promise and hope that the world has in the coming of Christ - a symbolism made more powerful by the darkness of winter. As a youth, I didn't quite understand this point growing up in Southern California where light was never an issue. However, after living in Germany when I was in high school, I came to realize this wonderful significance!
Christmas is a season of wonder and hope and light for all Christians. As a Lutheran I think I'm able to give that hope and wonder a form - a wreath full of light!
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Radix article, originally published in December 2000 by Christoph Sprecher
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