Here on SW many countries are represented and I wonder in how many of these countries the Advent wreath is known. Here in Denmark we got the tradition from Germany 100 – 120 years ago. The Advent wreath is a garland made of fir or another evergreen tree. In the garland are placed four candles and on the first Sunday in Advent the first candle is lit. Next Sunday the first and second candle are lit, next Sunday again the three first candles are lit and finally on the forth Advent Sunday all four candles are lit. Originally the custom was to hang the Advent wreath from the ceiling. Purple silk ribbons were used for this purpose because purple is the liturgical Advent colour. Today all colours of ribbons are used and that the ribbons match the colour of the candles is more normal than that they have any liturgical meaning but it is today more usual to see the Advent wreath placed on a table than to see it hanging from the ceiling. Typical the time when the Advent wreath is lit is a time for the family to sit together, having cookies and sweets, perhaps singing a few Christmas carols and in general having a good and cosy time.
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Why do you call it Catholic? I never thought of the Advent wreath as belonging in any specific branch of Christianity and I have seen Advent wreaths in many Lutheran churches in Denmark, in Sweden and in Germany.
Okay - but that is only natural when Advent means coming and the Advent time is as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. In older times the Advent time was also in the Roman Catholic Church time for the so-called little lent as preparation for Christmas. Today the Orthodox Church still lent during the Advent time.
