In German Christmas tradition, an Advent wreath made of evergreen branches counts down the four Sundays before Christmas.
The Advent wreath, or Adventskranz, is a ring of evergreen foliage usually holding four candles. One candle is lit on each Sunday of Advent, so the growing light marks the approach of Christmas. Many wreaths include a fifth candle in the center, which is lit on Christmas Day, although this is not universal.
The custom is widely associated with the German Lutheran pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern. In the nineteenth century, he used a large wooden ring with many candles to help children count the days until Christmas. The familiar four-candle form developed from that earlier design.
An Advent wreath is different from an Advent calendar, which uses numbered doors or compartments. Both count down to Christmas, but the wreath marks the Sundays of Advent with candles.