The Christmas wreath is a symbol of God’s eternal love for us.

Today the Christmas wreaths we see hanging on the entrance door to a house or church during the season is somewhat different to the one used in the olden days. Now if you are wondering what a wreath is it is a ring made up of the Evergreen tree cuttings. In the olden days (some still use these wreaths even today)there were four candles placed upon the wreaths. They were called Advent wreaths Even today many churches light the candles during the services held in preparation for advent in succession during the four weeks before Christmas.

While three of these candles are violet in colour traditionally the fourth has the colour of a rose. In some churches blue candles are used on Christmas wreaths while some use white candles. Some of the Christmas wreaths also have a fifth candle in addition to the four candles. which is lit on the Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day to symbolise the birth of Jesus Christ. The violet candle symbolizes faith and the rose coloured candle the joy of the advent season.

The first candle placed on the Christmas wreath is known as the Prophet’s candle signifying the hope of the arrival of Jesus.

The second candle is the Bethlehem candle, reminding people that God was born in a humble manner in a manger. The third candle to be lit on the wreath is the Shepherds’ candle and the last is the angels’ candle. This is the symbol of the peace and joy that the advent season offers us.

The Christmas wreaths are also used in the protestant churches and in all the parts of the world.