Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ADVENT WREATH

A band or circle of green foliage, surrounding four candles that may be enclosed in glass and are lighted successively in the four weeks of the Advent season. They symbolize the coming celebration of Christmas, when Christ the Light of the World was born in Bethlehem. The wreath originated in Germany, and in some countries there is a special ceremony, with prayers and hymns, associated with the lighting of the candles on the Sundays of Advent.