The meaning of the Advent Wreath

“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.” ~ Pope Francis

As the season of Advent begins, the wreath and the candles that adorn it help us to prepare and enter more deeply into the meaning of what we’re soon to celebrate – the coming into the world of Christ. Some of the symbolism includes the circular shape of the wreath, representing eternity and reminding us of God’s infinite love and presence in our own lives. The use of evergreen foliage, meanwhile, reminds us of newness and eternal life. it really is a beautiful reminder of the hope and joy that is coming as each of the four candles are lit up in turn during Advent.

Here in our monastery we build our own Advent Wreath each year and light up its candles (the number lit up depending on which week of Advent it is) every day of Advent during Lauds (Morning Prayer), Vespers (Evening Prayer) and during Sunday Mass. We make it using greenery from the garden and it is usually done by sisters in the Novitiate, that is, sisters in formation. We filmed this year’s making of the wreath pretty much from start to finish to give you a glimpse of what the task entails!

The Advent Wreath’s meaning 

From the Latin ‘adventus’, Advent means a ‘coming’ or an ‘arrival’ and it is a special time of preparation in anticipation of Christ’s coming. The Advent wreath is typically evergreen with 4 candles on top (three purple and one pink) and is a centuries-old Christian tradition symbolising the passage of the four weeks of Advent, ending on Christmas Day with the addition of a fifth, white candle in the middle. As such the candles represent Jesus coming as a light in the darkness.

“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12

The lighting of candles starts on the 1st Sunday of Advent when one of the three purple candles is lit up. An additional candle is lit on each subsequent Sunday until, by the last Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit, including a pink one on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete Sunday”. It symbolises rejoicing as we approach Jesus’ coming into the world on Christmas Day.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16