Advent wreath

Christianity

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition used to mark the four Sundays of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas and the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. It typically features a wreath of greenery with four candles, traditionally three violet and one rose-colored. One candle is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas, symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love. The Advent wreath tradition has roots in the 16th century, with the current four-candle format becoming popular in the 19th century. The word "Advent" itself comes from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming".1

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Advent
…of the season with an Advent wreath, which consists of four candles—typically three violet and one rose-colored—surrounded by greenery or other decorations. The first candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent, often with a prayer or devotion, and the following week the first and second candles are lit, and…
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…of the season with an Advent wreath, which consists of four candles—typically three violet and one rose-colored—surrounded by greenery or other decorations. The first candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent, often with a prayer or devotion, and the following week the first and second candles are lit, and…
Read More