The Advent wreath of evergreens decorated with
candles was a symbol in northern Europe long before the arrival of
Christianity. The circle symbolized the eternal cycle of the seasons while the
evergreens and lighted candles signified the persistence of life in the midst
of winter. Some sources suggest the wreath—now reinterpreted as a Christian
symbol—was in common use in the Middle Ages, others that it was established in
Germany as a Christian custom only in the 16th century. The most popular
colors for the Advent candles are violet and rose, corresponding with the
colors of the liturgical vestments for the Sundays of Advent. Violet is the
historic liturgical color for three of the four Sundays of Advent: Violet is
the traditional color of penitential seasons. Rose is the color for the Third
Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin word meaning "to
rejoice"--also from the first line of the traditional entrance prayer (called
the Introit) for the Mass of the third Sunday of Advent. Rose-colored vestments
are used on Gaudete Sunday, as a pause to the penitential spirit of Advent ■
