For many households in Germany, the anticipation of Christmas doesn’t begin with decorating the tree or hanging lights outside—it begins with the quiet, deeply comforting ritual of the Adventskranz, the Advent wreath. Sitting on a dining table, sideboard, or windowsill, the wreath becomes a symbol of the season long before Christmas Eve arrives. Four candles rest among evergreen branches, and each Sunday during Advent, another candle is lit, slowly illuminating the home as the darkest days of winter unfold. Even for those who may not participate in religious customs, it adds a Yuletide spirit.
For many who grew up in German households in the United States and abroad, the Advent wreath was a small but magical marker of the season. It often appeared right after Thanksgiving, placed out thoughtfully for the First Sunday of Advent. Lighting the candle became an eagerly awaited moment. In countless homes, the glow of the candle would signal the start of Kaffee und Kuchen on Sunday afternoons, a time when families came together to enjoy soft slices of Stollen or spiced holiday treats like Lebkuchen and Springerle. Even today, the ritual remains a simple yet powerful way to welcome the season, filling rooms with the scent of evergreens and the warm flicker of candlelight.
The Origin of Advent Wreaths
The tradition of the Advent wreath, though closely tied to German culture, is actually a relatively recent development compared to other centuries-old Christmas customs. While the concept of Advent itself dates back many centuries in Christian tradition, the wreath with candles as we recognize it today originated in the 19th century through the work of a Lutheran pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern. Wichern ran a mission school in Hamburg that cared for impoverished children. As December arrived each year, the children asked repeatedly when Christmas would come—a familiar impatience that children everywhere can relate to. To help them visualize the countdown, Wichern created a large wooden wheel in 1839 and decorated it with twenty-four candles: a large white candle for each Sunday and smaller red candles for the weekdays in between. Each day during Advent, the children lit a candle together, watching the wreath grow brighter as Christmas approached.
This first Advent wreath looked quite different from the wreaths we see today. It was not made of evergreen branches but was rather a practical teaching tool. Nevertheless, the idea resonated deeply. Over the following decades, families across northern Germany adapted the concept into something smaller and simpler. They reduced the number of candles from twenty-four to four, aligning them with the four Sundays of Advent, and they introduced evergreen branches as decoration—symbolizing eternal life, hope, and the promise of spring during the darkest weeks of the year. By the early 20th century, Advent wreaths were becoming common in both Protestant and Catholic households throughout Germany.
Spread Throughout Germany
After World War I, the tradition spread rapidly. In the rebuilding years that followed, the Advent wreath became a symbol of comfort and continuity. Families who had experienced hardship found meaning in the ritual of lighting the candles each week, watching the glow gradually increase as the days crept closer to Christmas. By the mid-20th century, the Advent wreath was firmly woven into German holiday culture. Today, it is nearly universal. Homes, schools, churches, shops, and public squares in Germany all display Advent wreaths during December. Many churches even suspend enormous wreaths from their ceilings, lighting an additional candle each Sunday as congregations gather.
Modern Traditions
Advent wreaths adapt beautifully to modern design sensibilities. While traditional wreaths are made of pine, fir, or spruce branches, today’s wreaths may incorporate eucalyptus, moss, olive branches, or even dried flowers. Candle colors have expanded from classic red or white to deep greens, golds, silvers, and soft earth tones. Some households prefer a minimalist style with a clean metal ring and four slender candles. Others embrace rustic Alpine-inspired designs, or elegant wreaths decorated with berries, ribbons, and natural ornaments. The core idea remains unchanged: each Sunday brings a moment to reconnect, to settle in, and to savor the gradual arrival of Christmas.
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A Gentle Introduction to Making Your Own Advent Wreath
While many families purchase their Advent wreaths at Christmas markets or florists, creating your own can be a meaningful part of the tradition. Making a wreath doesn’t need to be elaborate. In fact, a simple design often captures the spirit of the tradition best. Most wreaths begin with a circular base, which can be made of straw, wire, or foam. Fresh evergreen branches are wrapped around the base and secured with floral wire. Four candles—either pillar candles or tapers—are spaced evenly around the wreath. Some choose to add small decorations like pinecones, dried oranges, ribbons, or cinnamon sticks. Others keep the wreath natural and understated, letting the candles and greenery speak for themselves.
Lighting the Wreath and Welcoming the Season
As the first Sunday of Advent arrives, families across Germany gather around their wreaths to light the first candle. The moment is often quiet and reflective, and it marks a shift in the atmosphere of the home. With each passing week, another candle joins the glow, transforming the wreath into a beacon of warmth during the coldest days of the year. By the fourth Sunday, all four candles burn brightly, filling the room with a gentle radiance that reflects the anticipation building toward Christmas.
Lighting the Advent wreath is also a moment to enjoy the seasonal flavors that define German holiday traditions. Kaffee und Kuchen becomes more than an afternoon snack; it is a cherished ritual that brings people together. Children might nibble on homemade cookies, adults sip warm coffee, and everyone watches the candles flicker. Holiday treats like Stollen, Lebkuchen, and Springerle are the perfect accompaniment to these Sunday gatherings to welcome the holiday season.
Why Advent Wreaths Remain Meaningful Today
For Americans exploring German traditions, incorporating an Advent wreath into the Christmas season can be a meaningful way to connect with the culture. The ritual is easy to adopt, whether you choose a traditional evergreen design, a modern interpretation, or a simple arrangement of candles set within a ring of greenery. What matters most is the experience the wreath creates—the gathering of loved ones, the soothing glow of candlelight, and the comforting rhythm of Advent Sundays enjoyed over coffee, cake, and holiday cookies. It reminds us that the season is not only about preparing for festivities, but also about welcoming the quiet beauty of winter, celebrating togetherness, and savoring simple traditions that have endured for generations.
