TheAdventskranz is one of the classic German Christmas traditions that heightens your Christmas spirit. After reading this article you might want to join in on the festive occasion as well.
What does it mean?
Der Adventskranz, which sounds like this, is a wreath for the Advent period leading up to Christmas made out of fir sprigs with four red candles. Der Kranz is the German word for wreath. Meanwhile, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas every year, and traditionally refers to awaiting the advent, or “arrival” of Christ. This year it fell on Sunday December 1st.Â
The wreath usually sits on a table and are often decorated with bows or other festive decorations, along with candles.
What is the history behind the Adventskranz?
It's believed the Adventskranz first appeared in a Hamburg youth shelter in the mid 19th-Century.
Founded by Johann Wichern in 1833, the Das Rauhe Haus was - and still is - a lifeline for children and teenagers separated from their parents. Wichern wanted to show the youngsters the way to Christmas, helping them count the days and visualise its coming.
He had the idea for a wreath to show the countdown.Â
It began as a wooden wreath decorated with fir sprigs. The original had 24 candles but today's Adventskränze usually have just four.
What role does it play in Germany?
The four candles on the wreath symbolise the four advent Sundays before Christmas.
On the first Advent Sunday, you light the first candle. On the following Sunday you light the next candle, until all candles are burning on the last Sunday before Christmas.
However, some people also light all of their candles at once, because it gives more light. This way, the only light needed in the room is given by the advent wreath.
Many families sit by their advent wreaths, and enjoy Christmas sweets and some even sing festive songs.
How to use it:
“Dein Adventskranz sieht mal wieder wunderschön aus.” “Ich habe ja auch drei Stunden dran gesessen!”
“Your advent wreath once again looks beautiful.” “I worked on it for three hours!”
“Ich wollte dieses Jahr den Adventskranz selber machen. Die gekauften sehen immer alle gleich aus.”
“This year I wanted to make the advent wreath myself. The bought ones always look the same.”
“Kannst du mir mal den Tennenzweig dort reichen? Dann ist der Adventskranz so gut wie fertig.”
“Can you hand me the fir sprig there? Then the advent wreath is basically done.”
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