On Christmas Eve, families put candles in their windows as a sign of welcome to the little wanderer. On that night, no stranger was ever turned away from the door. Today the candles of Christmas, as well as the lights we string around our homes, remind us to welcome the Christ child into our hearts once more. Advent is a season of light coming into the darkness, and we symbolize that with the candles and lights of Christmas. The wreaths of Christmas are very special symbols of the season.
Wreaths represent a love that knows no end.
Much like the wedding bands that couples exchange when married, the wreath has no beginning and no ending. So too, the love which came down at Christmas is eternal love and the wreaths symbolize the love of God that never ends. A very special wreath of the season is the Advent wreath. We add four candles to the wreath as a way of preparing for the coming of the Messiah. Each week we light one more candle.