The tradition of the Advent wreath originated in the 19th century, on the initiative of Johann Hinrich Wichern, a German Lutheran pastor (in 1839, he placed twenty-four candles on the wooden frame of an old carriage decorated with large evergreen branches: the four thick white candles symbolized the Sundays of Advent, while the twenty smaller red candles represented the passing of the weekdays), and it has remained the most beautiful symbol of Advent ever since. Its circular shape and evergreen branches refer to eternal life, while the candles placed on it symbolize the light of Christ and the guiding power of faith. The four candles express faith, hope, joy, and love. When we light the fourth candle of Advent, we recall the pure light of the star of Bethlehem that led the Magi from the East to Jesus, and we also remember St. John the Baptist, the messenger of the Lord, who proclaimed the imminent coming of the Messiah. Just as his words once did, so today the flame of the fourth candle draws our attention to the coming of Christ.