Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning “coming”. The Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
A traditional Advent wreath contains five candles, with one candle lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. The fifth candle is then lit on Christmas Day. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the arrival of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
The Hope Candle
The first Advent candle, which is purple, is often called the “Prophecy Candle” or “Hope Candle.” It symbolizes hope and expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Traditionally, each Sunday marks the lighting of a new candle. As the light grows, so does our hope in Christ. The theme of the first Sunday in Advent is HOPE for the coming of the Messiah.
| Color | Purple |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Hope |
| Theme | Anticipation and expectation |
Prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, looked ahead to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s Kingdom:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6)
So the first candle represents the expectant hope and anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
The Peace Candle
The second Advent candle, also purple, represents peace. It reminds us of the prophets who foretold that Jesus would bring everlasting peace on earth.
| Color | Purple |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Peace |
| Theme | Preparing for Christ’s peace |
Isaiah prophesied about this peace:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
So the second candle represents the peace that Christ brings to the world.
The Joy Candle
The third candle, pink, symbolizes joy in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
| Color | Pink |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Joy |
| Theme | Rejoicing in Christ |
Prophets like Isaiah looked forward to the joy of the Messiah’s coming:
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” (Isaiah 35:1)
The third candle represents the joy and rejoicing in the coming of the Lord.
The Love Candle
The fourth candle, purple, represents love. It reminds us of the love brought into the world through Christ’s birth.
| Color | Purple |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Love |
| Theme | God’s love |
The Bible says that God showed His love for the world in this way:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
So this fourth candle represents God’s love demonstrated through Christ’s birth.
The Christ Candle
Lastly, the white center candle represents purity and Christ. This candle is lit on Christmas Day to represent the arrival of Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb of God, the light of the world.
| Color | White |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Purity, holiness |
| Theme | Christ |
The Gospel of John reveals the significance of Christ being the light:
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)
This fifth candle represents Jesus Christ, who came as the spotless Lamb of God to wash away our sins.
Summary of the Advent Candles
To summarize, the five candles of the Advent wreath hold great symbolic meaning:
- The 1st candle represents Hope and expectation in the coming of Jesus.
- The 2nd candle represents Faith in the promises of the prophets that God’s peace would come through the Messiah.
- The 3rd candle represents Joy in anticipation of the Lord’s coming.
- The 4th candle represents God’s Love for us through the birth of His Son.
- The 5th candle, the Christ candle, represents the arrival of the Light of the World that shines in the darkness.
As we light each candle during the Advent season, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and anticipate his return as the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in the 16th century among Lutherans and Catholics. However, it was not until the 19th century that German Protestants adopted the custom.
The Advent wreath is traditionally made of evergreen boughs to represent everlasting life in the midst of winter and death. The wreath is in the shape of a circle to symbolize the eternal and never-ending love of God.
In most traditions, three candles are purple and one is pink. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin.
In some churches, all five candles—including the Christ candle—are red to symbolize Christ’s blood shed for humanity. White and gold are also popular candle colors for Christ’s purity.
The candles are lit progressively on each Sunday in Advent, as the light grows brighter each week while we wait for Jesus’ coming.
When is the Advent Wreath Lit?
There are varying practices on when the Advent wreath is lit:
- Some light the first candle on the First Sunday of Advent, and then add one more each subsequent Sunday until all are lit.
- Others wait to light the first candle until Christmas Eve, and then light one additional candle every day until December 25th.
- In many Catholic and Lutheran churches, the Advent wreath is lit during each Mass on Sundays and remains lit throughout the service.
There are no strict rules. Churches and families often develop their own traditions in lighting the Advent wreath in a way that brings focus to preparing for Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
Advent Wreath Prayer and Devotion
Lighting the Advent candles is often accompanied by prayers, readings from Scripture, and singing Advent hymns. Here is an example prayer for the First Sunday in Advent while lighting the Hope candle:
Lord, as we light this first candle on the Advent wreath, we pray for hope. We open our hearts to your light and love. Renew our hope in the coming of Christ, our Savior. Help us prepare room for him in our hearts and lives. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bless us with your peace and joy as we wait for the day of your coming. Amen.
Advent wreaths are now common in many churches and homes as part of the spiritual preparation for Christmas. The symbolism of the growing light reminds us that Jesus came to conquer sin and death and to show us the light of God’s love and grace.
Through the Advent season, we too can become lights in the world as Christ shines through us!
Conclusion
The five candles of the Advent wreath hold rich meaning as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Lighting the candles each Sunday in Advent turns our eyes upon Jesus and builds up anticipation for the coming of our Savior on Christmas day.
