Pagan Origin, Use of the Advent Wreath
Christmas, Winter Solstice Symbolize Need for Spiritual Light
Nov 16, 2009
The Christian ceremony of Advent, the four Sundays preceding Christmas, is rooted in ancient Pagan belief, a testimony to the common threads of human spiritual observance and connection to a greater power in the universe.
Advent Wreath is Symbolic of Survival, Light and Hope
Advent in the Christian tradition symbolizes the world in darkness awaiting the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. Advent is practiced with a wreath of greens, a living circle, containing candles successively lit throughout the Advent period. It is a beautiful tradition that heightens the anticipation of the arrival of Christmas.
It is the time of waiting in darkness for the coming of the light that ties the Christian observance of Advent to an earlier time, underscoring the similarity among belief systems’ recognition of the fundamental importance of light to survival of body and spirit.
Advent Wreath Was a Pagan Practice
The circular Advent Wreath and its candles are pre-Christian, a Pagan practice absorbed into Christian observances like many Pagan rites as Christian conversion spread across Europe.
The Advent Wreath is a Pagan practice originating with the ancient Celtic people of Germany and Scandinavia. The worship practices of these tribes were tied to the rhythms of the earth, with the sun holding a central place of importance. As the winter season marched each year through the lengthening days of darkness to the shortest day, the Winter Solstice, the Celts prayed for the sun’s return with its life-giving light, warmth and reassurance that Spring would come.
The centerpiece of their spiritual rituals at this time was the living wreath, either formed of evergreens or with a cartwheel woven with evergreens. The evergreen wreath or wheel symbolized the unending circle of life, the rotation of the seasons. The evergreen, of course, was a part of the earth that lived steadfastly through the winter darkness. Lighted candles set within the wreath or wheel brought light to the darkness.
This ritual was clearly consonant with the general Pagan rituals of worship within the circle as a sacred space, augmented by use of candles and ceremonial fires. Altar candles and ritual use of candles in prayer were long used in Pagan rites, just as they are in Pagan practice today, before they became a part of Christian worship.
The Pagan Advent Wreath was displayed indoors. The decorated cartwheel with its candles might have been hung like a chandelier. The wreath might adorn a table or altar. Later, the tradition of hanging an evergreen wreath on wall and doors developed.
Advent Wreath Evolved into a Christian Observance
The magic of the Advent Wreath translated well into Christian practice. With very little change the symbol of light in the darkness, rebirth of the sun, made equal sense to the birth of the Son of God bringing the light to the world.
It appears that the Christian descendants of the Pagan Celts in Europe naturally incorporated their continued use of the wreath in their winter Christian practices. Reportedly, the first official church use of the Advent Wreath did not occur until the early 1800s.
In the Christian observance, the Advent candles are lit within the wreath one at a time throughout the Advent period, increasing the volume of light as the Christmas day approaches: first the purple Prophecy Candle of Hope; second the purple Bethlehem Candle of Preparation; third the pink Shepherd Candle of Joy; fourth the purple Angel Candle of Love; and the fifth white Christ Candle. (Sometimes blue candles are used instead of purple.)
Use of Advent Wreath in Modern Pagan Practice
Just as in Christian observance, Pagans bring in greens, winter berries, seeds, pinecones, and other natural representatives of life carrying on through the darkness of the approaching Solstice. An Advent Wreath of greens set with candles and lights symbolizes life's timeless connection with earth and universe, an eternal circle turning through the darkness toward the light.
As Rachelle Mee-Chapman points out, the Advent Wreath remains a Pagan observance today and presents a common ground for Pagans and Christians and Those In Between, "together at the table." The Advent Wreath is a ritual with unifying symbolism and practice of like purpose and understanding of faith between Christians and Pagans.
In all its incarnations the Advent Wreath evokes a powerful symbol of spirtual light in the darkness, of faith that the light will prevail.
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