#PINews

#2 - Advent Wreath

Pine scent and candelight

An advent wreath is usually made of fir sprigs decorated with Christmas accessories and four candles. On each of the last four Sundays prior to Christmas Eve one candle is lit.

The tradition of advent wreaths goes back to the year 1839. Theologian Johann Wichern was heading “The Rough House”, which today still stands in Hamburg, Germany. At that time, it was used as an orphanage.

Johann Wichern wanted to guide his orphans through the time they waited for Christmas. He took an old wooden wheel of a horse-drawn carriage, set candles on it and hung this very first advent wreath in his orphanage in Hamburg.