Advent in Germany

The four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve are a festive time in Germany; this year, November 26th, marks the commencement of Advent. On this day, many German families set up an Advent wreath in their homes, or Adventskranz, and light the first of the candles as a symbol that Advent has begun. During several jaunts this past week to local Christmas markets, I observed the purchase of these wreaths.



Typically, a German Advent wreath is made of evergreen branches and decorated with red-green tapes, pine cones and four candles, one for each week of Advent. Traditional families still gather around the wreath on each Advent Sunday to light the next candle and sing Christmas carols. This was even more important in the past, when the Christmas tree was usually reserved for a special unveiling only on Christmas Eve. Until then, the Advent wreath provided the evergreen look and the special festive aroma in the house.