Advent is to Christmas, what lent is to Easter; a time to prepare your heart and focus on Christ but like most traditions, they change over time. Some good, and some bad changes.
Traditions
Advent isn’t just about wreaths, candles, caroling, calendars or candy but all those things can be beneficial, if the focus remains on the original intent.
Somewhere between the 16th – 18th Century, evergreen wreaths with candles became a part of the tradition. Both the circle and evergreens symbolize eternal life. Some wreaths have holly and berries, asserting the red represents Christs suffering and sacrifice, while others only use the greenery. All beautiful symbolism, but no set standard of how to create them.
There isn’t even a standardization of the number of candles, colors or themes for Advent. I searched dozens of websites and found variations in themes, but all chose four out of: Hope, Faith, Love, Joy, and Peace. Some also add a fifth candle in the centre on Christmas day to represent Christ.
The most beautiful part of Advent is the intent to focus on three aspects of Christ coming to be with us, sit with us, and save us.