Advent Wreath Instructions

If you don’t have an Advent wreath, you can find them at any craft store, like Hobby Lobby, or consider putting one together. This simple project can be a great way to include friends or family in your first gathering and to talk about the symbolism of each element as you go. You can purchase a completed wreath or use the instructions below to build your own.

We have included some Amazon links for easy purchase, but everything you need is easily found at any craft store. The basic elements of the Advent wreath are an evergreen wreath, and five candle holders to hold the candles, (three purple, one pink, and one white). You can also add red berries to the greenery. To create your own wreath, wrap the evergreen piece around the candle holder and add the red berries into the greenery. Then put the white candle in the middle and the remaining candles around the outside.

The Advent wreath and its candles have many symbolic meanings, including:

Circular Shape: The circular shape of the wreath represents the eternal nature of God—his never-ending love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Evergreen Branches: Evergreen branches, which do not lose their leaves in winter, represent the everlasting life found in Christ. They are a symbol of hope and renewal, pointing to the promise of eternal life through Jesus.

Red Berries: The red berries remind us of the blood of Jesus, which is never far from our minds, even at Christmas.

Color of Candles: The four outer candles typically represent hope, peace, joy, and love; the white candle in the center represents the purity of Christ.

• HOPE (purple): The first candle is a reminder of the prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus, inspiring hope in the Israelites long before his birth. With hope—best described as longing or expecting something to happen—we wait for the day Christ will come again.
• PEACE (purple): The second candle calls to mind the angels proclaiming “peace and goodwill,” as well as Isaiah’s reference to the Messiah as the “Prince of Peace.” Jesus offers everlasting peace, regardless of our circumstances.
• JOY (pink): The third candle represents the joy and gladness of the shepherds as they hurried to the manger to find the promised Savior. As Christians, we still rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! 
• LOVE (purple): The fourth candle reminds us God has not forgotten or abandoned the world. Without a Savior, there is no hope of redemption, but God, rich in mercy and grace, sent his Son as the ultimate act of love our world has ever known. 
• CHRIST CANDLE (white): This candle symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the darkness of our world. The birth of Jesus changed everything; he sparked a light that no amount of darkness can overcome. This candle is usually lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Lighting of Candles: The lighting of the candles is an important tradition during Advent. Each week, an additional candle is lit to symbolize the increasing anticipation and preparation for the arrival of Jesus. The light from the candles represents the light of Christ coming into the world.