First, I want to say I am not trying to sow discord.  I am just asking a general question based on an observation.

When I attended various NO Churches a huge Advent Wreath had a prominent place  by the altar table.  It was a big deal, with a different family lighting a candle each week.  

When we came to SSPX about 5 years ago, I do not remember seeing one.  I say I do not remember seeing one, because I remember finding it unusual.  I asked a trad friend about it and she said that Advent Wreaths were used in people's homes as a private devotion but not used in the Chapel.  That is what I remember.

I have been attending a private chapel now since last September.  We do not have and Advent Wreath there.  Our family does have one at home as part of our nightly family prayers and rituals for Advent.  I made this my self with beeswax candles and my priest blessed them for us, so I don't think he has a problem with them but they are not in our chapel.

However, today we went to our former SSPX chapel for Mass.  Immediately I noticed a huge Advent Wreath up behind the altar rails.  It seemed weird to me because we don't have one at our chapel and because I don't remember having one before.

Like I said, I am not trying to sow discord, I am just trying to figure out if this has been a practice in SSPX chapels for awhile and I just don't remember or if this is something new.

The only place I've seen one is at St. Gertrude's. I was I town for the first Sunday of Advent when they blessed it, so it is likely there is some kind of official blessing for it. I can't say for certainty that it is a liturgical tradition since I saw it there because I don't fully trust the Gertrudians when it comes to many issues.

They had a hanging wreath, somewhere closer to the altar rail, I can't remember the old setup.

I do believe I seen them at SSPX, and behind the altar rail. It probably depends on funds available and the layout of the chapel.

Phoenix chapel has a medium sized one off to the side behind the altar rail.  Nothing flashy but I do like to see them.  We've been at the chapel 4 yrs and it's always been there during Advent.

Marsha

There is nothing wrong with having one in church, but they are not required either.  They aer, as has been noted, primarily a family and home centered devotion.  

The independent (SV) chapel I attended last weekend had one and the priest included it in his homily.  I thought I remember someone mentioning here somewhere that post VII they changed the colors and I thought it was interesting to see that this advent wreath also had the 3 purple and one pink candle.  I'm guessing that the person who said this was probably in error.  

I was also fascinated by the homily which included explaining that the 4 candles symbolize the 4,000 years before the coming of Christ (each 1,000).  I have never heard that explanation in a NO church before.  It was always the 4 weeks before Advent (and only that).

Don't know who put up the advent wreath in sspx chapel.  Fr. Doran seemed not terribly enthusiastic.  Said it originated with Lutherans, but could be used by Catholics with addition of a blue candle in the center for Our Lady.  Is better used as a home devotion, but IS acceptable in church if not distracting from Mass.