The Advent Wreath has ancient origins in Hamburg, Germany
The Advent Wreath has ancient origins in Hamburg, Germany, created by Pastor Johann Heinrich Wichern to celebrate Advent with the children of the Rauhes Haus Orphanage. The orphanage provided shelter and professional learning opportunities for orphans. Pastor Wichern, during Advent, used a wagon wheel with candles to mark the days. The children called this period "Candle Meditation." After two years, they decorated the wheel with pine branches, creating the first Advent Wreath in the Lutheran Church. People who visited the orphanage adopted the tradition in their homes, opting for smaller wreaths with four candles, one for each week of Advent.
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