Ancient Germanic peoples gathered ever green branches, wove them into wreaths and decorated them with lighted fires as signs of hope during the cold of Winter. They hoped that Spring would come and the darkness of the winter would vanish. Christians adopted this tradition. By the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols as part of their Advent celebration. For them Christ was the symbol of hope, and was known as the everlasting Light. Therefore the Advent Wreath like the dates for Christmas and Easter were "Christianized pagan experiences".

The Advent wreath is woven into a circle and decorated with four candles … one for each week in Advent. There are several ways the candles may be presented: (1) Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose. (2)Some people use three white and one purple candle. (3)Others use four violet candles. Each Sunday the candles are lighted … one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer, scripture lesson, and hymn should accompany the lighting.

In most churches a family from the congregation is chosen for the honor of leading the ceremony. Members of the family share in leading the different sections of the experience.

The lighting of the Advent Wreath is usually one of the first acts of worship each Sunday during Advent. Usually at the closing verse of the opening hymn the family that will lead the ceremony makes its way to the front of the Sanctuary and appropriately positions themselves near the wreath. A Scripture Lesson is read. A short statement about the meaning of this particular candle is shared. A verse of an appropriate hymn is sung. 

First Week - Candle for Hope
In the darkness of despair, Loving God, you shine a first light of hope. The people will turn from anger and your goodness will grow. May our hope of Christmas point us to the greater hope of your heavenly kingdom among us. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Second Week - Candle for Love
In the waiting land the sun grows stronger, days are longer, and excitement grows as we hear the message of God coming near. Make your love very near to us, draw us out of our hiding places to let your goodness shine on us, we ask, so we will love each other, as Jesus loves us. Amen.

The Third Candle - Candle for Peace
Two candles shine for hope, and for love, it seems Christmas is here, but it is not, we still wait and long. The earth and its creatures long for peace, people like us work and pray for peace, our third candle this Advent is for God's peace. Amen.

The Fourth Candle - Candle for Joy 
The circle of peace, love, and hope is almost complete with bright candles. So close is Christmas and its promise, that already we are filled with gladness, and light a last candle to share joy with all those who rejoice. Amen.

A circle of candles prepared the way to bring us to today. We prayed in hope, we searched in love, we worked for The Third Candle - Candle for Peace peace, and we offered our rejoicing. All that we sought is here, Jesus is here, and we celebrate his coming.