Advent – period of preparation for Christmas

Yesterday began Advent, special period of year that we marked with first lightned candle on Advent wrath. Advent wrath is part of long christian tradition and it is made of two fundamental simbols : circleand candles. Circle is first well known simbol in human history as simbol of eternity and faith. Advent wrath is simbol of God’s promise and love that are eternal. Advent wrath is made of twigs from evergreen tree in way that there is no beginning or end that is eternity. Evergreen tree in wrath symbolises immortality, laurel lives are symbol of victory over sin and soffer.

Four candles on wrath are signe in name of four Advent weeks. On first Sunday of Advent we lighten up first candle which symbolises hope and expectancy. Second Sunday of Advent we light up second candle that simbolize peace with message of reconciliation for all people. Third candle represents joy and happiness and fourth candle is “cadndle of love”.

Word Advent comes from Latin word “adventus” which means “coming “ and represent period of expectation. First Advent wrath was made by Hinrich Wichren year 1839 in Hamburg – Germany. He was evangelical pastor and founder of home for orphan childrens. He constructed wooden wrath where he have applied 19 small red candles and 4 bigger white candles. Each day he would light up one small red candle and on Sunday he would light up white candle in attention to explain to kids scenically period of Advent preparation.

In followed period of time Advent wrath has evolved in Christianity so number of candles was replaced with only four that we light up on Advent Sunday’s.

By 1920’s Advent wrath has became part of tradition in Roman Chatolic Church.