Are advent wreaths a thing outside of Germany? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 2 months ago by Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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Having just received a Fourth Advent video via messenger, in which The Count of Sesame Street counted the four burning candles, I wondered how much this is common outside of Germany.

Wikipedia tells me that the tradition also is followed in other countries nowadays, but not how much.

So:
Do you know this in your country or maybe even light some candles to count the remaining time until Christmas yourself?

Or have you never heard of it before?
Do you perhaps have any other similar countdown traditions (we e.g. also have Christmas calendars giving you a little tread every day until Christmas)?

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[-] esc27@piefed.social 2 points 2 months ago

In my part of the US they seem to be rare in houses but common in churches, at least Methodist churches.

Four candles for the Sundays before Christmas. Most have purple candles for three Sundays but one pink one typically lit on the third Sunday. Most also have a more prominent, central, white. christ candle that is lit for Christmas eve services and Christmas day. Some churches then remove the wreath but continue lighting that candle until later in the church year.

Typically a family will be asked to light the candles for each service and recite a reading.

The candles/days are usually themed: Hope, peace, joy, then love. Sometimes they are associated with characters from the story. E.g. pink being Mary's candle.

[-] Taco2112@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

US here, I was raised Catholic in West Virginia. The church I went to growing up always had an advent wreath, and when I was younger, our family would light one at home. I believe the church still does it but my family hasn’t done it since I was younger.

[-] JoeTheSane@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Grew up in the Catholic Church in New Jersey, USA and we had these every year.

[-] early_riser@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Advent wreathes are a thing in the US, but mostly a religious thing. Traditionally the 3rd candle is supposed to be pink and the others purple

this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2025

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