Getting Started: The Advent Wreath

You might find it helpful to make or purchase an “advent wreath.” They can be found in many Christian bookstores and on-line shops in a variety of styles and prices. If you choose to make one, all you’ll need is some evergreen foliage (real or artificial, which you can round into the shape of a wreath), three purple candles, one red candle and one larger white candle. The colors and such from purchased wreaths may vary as different churches use different symbolism.

Explanation of the wreath:

The circle made by the wreath reminds us that God has no beginning and no end.

The green color is symbolic of life, in this case, eternal life.

The candles symbolize Christ as “light of the world.”

The space between the candles (which should be placed at “2, 4, 8 & 10” if the wreath were a clock face) represents the four centuries of waiting between Malachi’s prophecies and the birth of Christ.

The colors of the candles (which vary widely depending on church traditions) as we chose them are:
Purple: Royalty. Obviously symbolic of Christ being King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Red: Joy.
White (the candle placed in the center of the wreath): The “Christ candle,” white for His purity, and central location reminds us the “heart” of the message: Bringing light to the world.