The Advent wreath is a popular symbol of the Advent season. It typically consists of four candles arranged in a circle with evergreen foliage surrounding them. Each candle on the wreath represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
Hope
The first candle symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” since it represents the anticipation and hope found in the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah.
The prophets of Israel waited in hope for the coming of the Messiah, whom God promised would one day come to restore Israel and save mankind from sin. The Old Testament tells us that the coming of Jesus was promised long ago: “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2).
So the first Advent candle reminds us that Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the realization of Israel’s hope for redemption.
Peace
The second candle represents peace and is sometimes called the “Bethlehem Candle.” Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus, whose coming brought reconciliation between God and man.
Jesus came to bring us peace – peace with God, with others, and within ourselves: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
He came to bring unity and harmony to all people: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
So the second Advent candle is a reminder that Jesus came to bring us peace – the peace we always long for in the depths of our hearts.
Joy
The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To understand joy, we have to go back to the angels who brought great joy to the shepherds on the hillside near Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born:
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Just as the shepherds rejoiced when the angels appeared, the third candle reminds us that the birth of Jesus is a reason for great rejoicing!
Love
The fourth candle represents love and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels also announced that Jesus came out of God’s love for us: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16).
We see God’s love in the most wonderful way when Jesus is born in Bethlehem, coming as a helpless baby to identify with our weakness and frailty. This is called the “incarnation,” which means “to be made flesh.” God showed His love by becoming one of us.
So this fourth candle signifies God’s love embracing the world through the gift of His Son.
The Christ Candle
In the center of the wreath is a white candle called the “Christ Candle.” This candle points directly to Jesus, the Light of the World. John 1:4-5 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
The Christ Candle is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to symbolize that the promised Savior has been born and the hope, peace, joy and love He brings have been fully realized through His coming. The color white represents His purity and sinlessness.
Evergreen Branches
The evergreen branches used to make the wreath symbolize ongoing life. The circle of the wreath, with no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.
The Advent wreath as a whole serves as a reminder of God’s unending love and endless life through His Son, Jesus Christ. The four candles mark the progress of our spiritual growth as we prepare for His coming.
Variations in Advent Wreath Traditions
There are some variations in Advent wreath traditions:
- The color of the four candles can be different. Some use all white, while others use three purple candles and one pink candle.
- The order in which the candles are lit can vary, depending on the tradition.
- A fifth white “Christ Candle” is sometimes placed in the middle of the wreath.
- The number of candles may vary, with some wreaths having only three candles.
But no matter how the Advent wreath is designed, the symbolism remains the same: the circular evergreen wreath represents God’s never-ending love, while the candles mark our preparation and anticipation for the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the World.
Advent Wreath Schedule
Here is the typical schedule for lighting the Advent candles:
| Sunday | Candle Lit |
|---|---|
| First Sunday of Advent | Candle of Hope (Purple Candle) |
| Second Sunday of Advent | Candle of Peace (Purple Candle) |
| Third Sunday of Advent | Candle of Joy (Pink Candle) |
| Fourth Sunday of Advent | Candle of Love (Purple Candle) |
Lighting the Candles
Each week, when the appropriate Advent candle is lit, the meaning behind it can be explained. Many churches and families also sing an Advent hymn or read a short Scripture passage and have a time of prayer when lighting the candles.
A traditional Advent wreath lighting might follow this sequence on the second Sunday of Advent:
- All four candles are arranged in a circle.
- The first purple candle, the Candle of Hope, is lit.
- The second purple candle, the Candle of Peace, is now lit.
- A short Advent Scripture is read, such as Isaiah 9:6 or Luke 2:14.
- Everyone sings an Advent hymn, like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
- Prayers are offered for peace in the world.
This continues each week until all four candles are lit going into the fourth Sunday of Advent. Then the white Christ Candle is lit in the middle on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Advent Song and Prayer Ideas
Here are some song and prayer ideas for each Advent candle lighting:
| Candle | Songs | Prayers |
|---|---|---|
| Hope | “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” |
For faith and hope in God’s promises |
| Peace | “Let There Be Peace on Earth” “Silent Night” |
For personal and global peace |
| Joy | “Joy to the World” “Angels We Have Heard on High” |
For joy in God’s salvation |
| Love | “O Come All Ye Faithful” “What Child is This?” |
For God’s love to fill all hearts |
Conclusion
The four candles of the Advent wreath hold rich spiritual meaning as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s coming. The progressive lighting of the candles – hope, peace, joy, and love – encourages us to reflect on the significance of the season and build our anticipation for the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the World.
The Advent wreath is a meaningful custom that enriches our worship and focuses our thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our Savior and the light He brings to the world.
