The Advent wreath marks the holiday season

  • Published
  • By Iris Reiff
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The four Sundays of Advent mark the beginning of the Christmas celebration and with it the beginning of the Catholic Church year. The time of Advent, which has existed in the Catholic Church since the 6th century, was originally a time for fasting. It wasn't until the period of the Enlightenment that Advent became time when families prepared for Christmas.

The Advent wreath became popular in northern Germany soon after World War I. Since the 1930s, it's become popular throughout the entire German-speaking parts of Europe.

The wreath is made of fir branches with four candles, one of each is lighted every Advent Sunday until all four are burning together, then it's Christmas.

The fourth candle will be lit Dec. 19.