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Article on Exploring a Christmas tradition – Christmas wreaths We have many Christmas traditions in the UK. Wreaths are used as both decorations on people’s doors and to signal the start of Advent and the arrival of Jesus Christ. In this article I explore the origins of wreaths using the following quote from Rudyard Kipling: “I keep six honest serving-men, (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” Starting with the first three serving men (what and why and when), I first of all looked at the word wreath itself. It is derived from a Middle English word (“wrethe”). Traditionally a wreath is a twisted circle or ring of leaves and/or flowers. They have been used as a symbol of eternity or eternal life dating back to at least the Romans who exchanged holly wreaths as gifts. In addition, the Druids saw holly as sacred and Shakespeare wrote about holly in the 16th century. By the 17th century holly had become a part of the Christmas celebrations. The decorative wreaths we see at Christmas are often made of holly, moss and evergreen leaves and decorated with pine cones, fruit, ribbons etc. Using plant material in a wreath also has symbolic significance. They represent the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter and using them helps us to hold onto the promise of spring. Next it was the turn of the serving men: how and where and who. As well as the decorative wreaths we use in our homes, they are also used Christmas to signify the start of the Advent season. It is thought that a German Lutheran called Johann Wichern used a wreath made from a cart wheel in 1839 to educate children about the meaning of Christmas. For each Sunday in Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, he put a white candle in the wreath. He placed a final candle in the middle of the wreath which was lit on Christmas Eve to represent the birth of Jesus Christ. These “lights” celebrate hope in Christ, the everlasting light. The use of the Advent Wreath then spread from Germany to other parts of the world. The central candle in an Advent wreath is usually white with sometimes different coloured candles used for the four Sundays in Advent. In addition, the circular shape of the wreath symbolises the crown of thorns Jesus wore, as well as the resurrection and eternal life. Wreaths became symbols of peace, joy and contentment. Of all the wreaths you are likely to see in the Christmas period you are more likely to come across decorative wreaths on people’s front doors. They are very popular at Christmas. I suspect many people are not aware of the symbolic significance of Advent wreaths. If you are thinking about a wreath for your front door do consider a fresh one to continue the tradition of looking forward to new growth and spring. .

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