A Beginner’s Guide to Advent Wreaths

A Beginner’s Guide to Advent Wreaths: History, Meaning, Traditions, and Prayers (Catholic & Protestant)

If you’ve been in the Christian world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the word Advent. And like me, maybe you’ve always associated it with Advent calendars full of chocolates, tiny toys, or little gifts.

I’ve been aware of Advent since childhood…

but honestly? My understanding stopped at calendars.

I never realized it had any spiritual depth, any history, or that the season itself carries powerful meaning for Christians. And until recently, I didn’t even know Advent wreaths were a thing, let alone that they held symbolism, Scripture themes, and beautiful weekly rhythms of prayer.

But this year something shifted. I started seeing Advent wreaths everywhere: homes, church posts, blogs. They were beautiful but more than that, they stirred something in me.

And because I never want to jump on a trend just because others are doing it or because it looks pretty, I decided to pause. I wanted to really understand what this tradition is and where it comes from.

By the time I finished researching, Advent was already well underway. Too late to start using one this year, but now I’m actually grateful.

Because now I get to:

• Make my own Advent wreath (I purchased everything except the wreath itself - it’s pictured here, the nativity, the circular ring candle holder and bees wax candles are mine.)

• Start a new family tradition with meaning and intention

• Create something with my hands (therapeutic for me!)

• And enter the Advent season with actual understanding, not just vague awareness

And in case anyone else is in the same boat… curious, excited, eager to learn; here is everything I discovered! A full, rich guide to Advent wreaths, their history, meaning, symbolism, and even the prayers used across Christian traditions.

What Is an Advent Wreath?

An Advent wreath is a circular arrangement of evergreens with four candles placed around the ring, and sometimes a fifth candle (the Christ candle) in the center.

It is used during the four weeks leading up to Christmas to symbolize:

• Waiting

• Preparation

• Hope

• Light coming into darkness

It’s used by:

• Catholics

• Lutherans

• Anglicans/Episcopalians

• Methodists

• Many Evangelical families

Though it’s becoming more widespread among Christians of all backgrounds.

Is the Advent Wreath Pagan? Let’s Clear That Up. This is one of the most common questions.

The Advent wreath itself is a Christian creation. It developed in Germany in the 1500–1800s, particularly among Lutheran Christians.

The first historically documented Advent wreath was made in 1839 by Johann Hinrich Wichern, a German pastor who worked with poor children.

He used a wheel with candles to help the children visually count down the days until Christmas. Over time this evolved into today’s four-candle wreath.

Yes, the materials; evergreen, candles, circles, were present in winter imagery long before Christianity, but there is zero evidence that the Advent wreath was borrowed directly from pagan worship. Early Christians used everyday winter symbols and re-oriented them to Christ, not to pagan gods.

So rest assured: The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition, not pagan.

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath…

Every part of the wreath carries intentional imagery:

The Circle - Represents God’s never-ending, eternal nature.

Evergreens - Symbolize eternal life and hope even in the “winter seasons” of the soul.

Candles - Represent Christ as the Light of the World. Each week, the increasing light symbolizes increasing anticipation and nearness of Christ’s coming.

Candle Colors and Their Meanings…

The traditional Advent wreath uses:

• Week 1 – Purple: HOPE

• Week 2 – Purple: PEACE

• Week 3 – Pink (Rose): JOY (Gaudete Sunday!)

• Week 4 – Purple: LOVE

• Optional center – White: CHRIST

Why purple?

It’s the color of royalty and anticipation and historically of repentance.

Why pink?

Because the third Sunday of Advent is a joy-break in the season, reminding us to rejoice because Christ is near.

Some Protestant churches use blue instead of purple, symbolizing hope or the night sky before dawn but the purple/pink combination is the oldest and most widely recognized.

Do People Make Their Own Advent Wreaths or Buy Them? Both!!! :)

Many families make their own using:

• Fresh evergreens

• A circular ring

• Candle holders

• Natural accents like pinecones, berries, or ribbon

• Something in the middle of the circle (like my nativity)

Others prefer purchasing a ready-made wreath from:

• Christian bookstores

• Florists

• Online Advent kits

Creating one feels deeply meaningful… and I’m already excited to finish making mine next year.

Creating always feels grounding, peaceful, and therapeutic to me.

How the Advent Wreath Is Used???

Each Sunday of Advent:

1. Light the candle for that week

2. Read Scripture

3. Pray

4. Sit in reflection or worship

By Christmas, all four candles are lit.

If you include the Christ candle, it’s lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

There is no required “formula”, but Scripture + reflection + prayer is the traditional rhythm.

Advent Prayers: Catholic & Protestant Examples

One important thing I learned is that there is no universally required Advent wreath prayer.

Different churches use different wording.

So what I’ve included below are well-known examples, modeled after:

• Traditional Catholic liturgical prayers

• Common Protestant Advent devotions

These are perfect for at-home use if you want something time-tested, beautiful, and meaningful.

💜 WEEK 1 — HOPE

Light one purple candle.

PROTESTANT PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Today we light the candle of Hope, remembering the prophets who longed for the Messiah.”

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You are our promised hope. As we light this candle, awaken in us a longing for Your coming. Strengthen our faith as we wait for You. Fill our hearts with expectation, and remind us that our hope is found in You alone.

Amen.”

CATHOLIC PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Our help is in the name of the Lord.”

All: “Who made heaven and earth.”

Scripture: Isaiah 63:16–17, 19 • Psalm 80:2–7

Prayer: “Stir up Your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that we may be rescued from the dangers of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.”

💜💜 WEEK 2 — PEACE

Light two purple candles.

PROTESTANT PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “This candle reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.”

Scripture: Micah 5:2–5a • John 14:27

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You came to bring peace—not as the world gives, but true and lasting peace. As we light this candle, quiet our anxious hearts. Make our homes places where Your peace dwells. Teach us to walk in Your ways and trust in Your presence.

Amen.”

CATHOLIC PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.”

All: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1–5 • Psalm 85:9–14

Prayer: “Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet Your Son. May we be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.”

💜💜🩷 WEEK 3 — JOY (Gaudete Sunday!)

Light two purple candles + the pink candle.

PROTESTANT PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Today we light the candle of Joy, remembering the angels’ declaration: ‘Good news of great joy.’”

Scripture: Luke 2:8–14 • Philippians 4:4–5

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You are our joy. As we light this candle, fill our spirits with the joy that comes from knowing You. May Your joy sustain us in every season and shine through our lives to bless others.

Amen.”

CATHOLIC PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.”

All: “The Lord is near.”

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1–2, 10–11 • Luke 1:46–55

Prayer: “O God, who sees how Your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, grant, we pray, that we may attain the joys of so great a salvation and celebrate them always with glad rejoicing. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.”

WEEK 4 — LOVE

💜💜🩷💜 Light three purple candles + the pink candle.

PROTESTANT PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “This candle reminds us of God’s great love revealed to us in Christ.”

Scripture: John 3:16–17 • 1 John 4:9–11

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You are love made flesh. As we light this candle, help us receive Your love deeply and share it freely. Prepare our hearts to celebrate Your birth with worship and gratitude.

Amen.”

CATHOLIC PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son.”

All: “And they shall name Him Emmanuel — God with us.”

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:12–16 • Luke 1:26–38

Prayer: “Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son was made known by the message of an angel may, by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.”

CHRISTMAS — THE CHRIST CANDLE

💜💜🩷💜🤍 Light all candles, including the white Christ candle.

PROTESTANT PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Christ is born! The Light of the world has come.”

Scripture: John 1:1–14 • Luke 2:1–20

Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, on this holy day we rejoice in Your coming. Shine Your light into every corner of our lives. Fill our hearts with Your grace, our homes with Your peace, and our world with Your glory.

Amen.”

CATHOLIC PRAYER (Example)

Reader: “Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.”

All: “Glory to God in the highest.”

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1–6 • Luke 2:1–20 • John 1:1–14

Prayer: “O God, who gladden us year by year as we wait in hope for our redemption, grant that, as we joyfully welcome Your Only Begotten Son as our Redeemer, we may also merit to behold Him face to face when He comes again in glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.”

———————————

I never expected Advent wreaths to pull me in the way they did this year. But now, I’m genuinely excited for next Advent! Not just to display something beautiful, but to practice a tradition filled with meaning, Scripture, and anticipation.

If you’ve ever wondered about Advent wreaths, or if you’ve only known Advent as fun calendars with treats, I hope this helps open a new, beautiful door for you too.

Next year I cannot wait to:

🕯️ finish creating my own wreath

🕯️ start a new family tradition

🕯️ reflect weekly on hope, peace, joy, and love

🕯️ and enter the Christmas season with even more intention. I normally do an advent devotional, so I haven’t been TOTALLY out of the loop but this will add ao much more depth. :)