Saturday, December 19, 2009

The History of Christmas Wreaths

Seen in Down Town in Charleston, SC


Seen at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC



The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.

Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light.

From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens with a fifth candle in the middle. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting of each candle. The last candle is the middle candle. The lighting of this candle takes place on Christmas Eve.
It represents Jesus Christ being born.




Hi my friends,

Thank you so much for visiting my blog yesterday and for writing all your kind comments, they are very much appreciated.

These two photos are, as promised, the start of a series of Christmas themed postings until Christmas Day. Personally, we don't celebrate Christmas for certain reasons, but Dave and I still enjoy the colorful lights and decos in the streets and on houses.
I hope you'll enjoy too!

See you back again tomorrow?
Susanne



The CALENDARS 2010 are for sale - don't forget anybody to buy a last minute gift!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

this was so interesting!

S-V-H said...

Thank you so much :)

RennyBA's Terella said...

This post and the pictues really took me down the memory lane Susanne!

Of course we have similar traditions in Norway. To start celebrating the return of the sun - even from the 1st day of advent - when in the darkest period of time to search for some lightening!

Sorry I have not been around that much lately but Yuletide is a bit busy you know!

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season :-)

Btw: Thanks for still promoting the Oslo Blog Gathering 2010. Bookings are opened now!

S-V-H said...

Thank you very much, Renny for this kind comment. Don't worry, I understand, we all are busy around Christmas, I know that :)

Maia T said...

That's a wonderful picture of the Christmas wreaths. Beautiful description of the tradition too, we have also something alike.
Happy Christmas to you and your family!

Marcie said...

So good to learn about things I never knew...and such pretty colors in these wreaths!!

Anonymous said...

Very Nice!
Happy Holidays!!

Sue said...

Oh my goodness, the second doorway is so lovely.

S-V-H said...

Thank you:

maiaT

Marcie

Greg

Sue

for all your kind comments and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!!!

The Retired One said...

Very interesting history regarding Xmas wreaths, Susanne! I wonder how many house fires happened though because of the candles involved?

GMG said...

Wow! Those are wonderful!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, especially the first wreath is impressive, wonderful. Interesting to know the history behind them, I've heard this many many years ago when I was a child but I couldn't remeber it when someones asked me about this some days ago. Thanks, very interesting!

S-V-H said...

My thanks go to:

@ Joan

@ Gil

@ niceartlife

for your visits and the comments. Very much appreciated.

aim said...

Look like easy to wrap it but i think it need a good skill to get a beautiful wrapping, art of wrapping. They know what and where to put each of the items to make it look nice and neat.

S-V-H said...

Thank you Aim, for your kind comment. It's not that hard to make them, just the beginning is hard....like with everything in life, right? :)

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