History of the Advent Wreath

Though there is evidence to suggest that Christians in the Middle Ages may have used lighted wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas, the first clear association with Advent is generally attributed to German Lutherans in the 16th century. However, another three centuries would pass before the modern Advent wreath took shape. Specifically, a German theologian and educator by the name of Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881) is credited with the idea of lighting an increasing number of candles as Christmas approached.¹

Wichern was passionate about urging Christians to minister to the physical and social, as well as spiritual, needs of people. He was a man who put his teaching into practice, and one of his many acts of social service included the founding of a home for poor children, the Rough House, in the city of Hamburg. Tradition holds that as Christmas approached each year, the children would daily inquire about its arrival. In 1839, Wichern ingeniously thought to use a wreath as a teaching tool. For each Sunday of Advent, Wichern positioned a large white candle in a wreath. For every other day in between, Wichern placed a small red candle in the wreath. Each day Wichern would light a candle and teach the children about Jesus. Thus, the children had a visual means to help them count the days until Christmas, and Wichern had an opportunity to help draw their focus to the purpose of Christmas. His idea was a success, and with time, it spread throughout Europe and on to North America.

Wichern’s idea may also have influenced the modern Advent calendars that, beginning on December 1, count the days until Christmas. Like the Advent wreath, the Advent calendar also appears to have its origin in Germany. According to tradition, the Advent calendar was created by a Munich housewife for her children; the first commercial calendars were printed in Germany in 1851.²

1 Das Rauhe Haus, “History, From 1832-1881.” Retrieved August 15, 2008 from Das Rauhe Haus: http://www.rauheshaus.de/stiftung/geschichte.

2 Encyclopedia Britannica. “Christmas.” Retrieved August 15, 2008 from Encyclopedia Brittanica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115686/Christmas.

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