Advent in Germany

Many German households observe Advent with an Advent wreath. Traditionally fashioned from a fir branch entwined with gold and silver ribbons or bits of red thread, the wreaths also contain holders for four candles. German families dis-play the wreath on a tabletop or suspend it from the ceiling. One candle is lit on each of the Sundays in Advent. An old Roman Catholic tradition called for lighting the candles on Saturday instead. Many German households light a ‘‘Star of Seven,’’ a seven-branched candelabrum, on Christmas Eve, and at midnight carry the lit ‘‘star’’ though the dark to the village church for the Christmas Eve service.

SOURCES:
BkFestHolWrld-1970, p. 128 EncyChristmas-2003, pp. 3, 6,
7, 10, 276 FestWestEur-1958, p. 79 FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 680 OxYear-1999, p. 598