Christmas is a deeply symbolic time of year. The Christmas season is full of traditions that hold significant meaning for Christians around the world. Everything from the tree to the lights to the food carries spiritual significance. The candles used at Christmas also hold deep symbolic value for Christians.
The candles of Christmas represent Jesus Christ, the light of the world. They also symbolize hope and light in the darkness. Their flames remind Christians of the peace and joy that Jesus’ birth brought to the world. The lighting of the candles marks the celebration of Jesus coming into the world.
In this article, we will explore some of the common Christmas candles and their spiritual meanings. Discover how these special candles add to the profound symbolism of the Christmas season.
The Advent Candles
One of the most familiar Christmas candles is the Advent candle wreath. These candles hold great meaning for those celebrating Advent in anticipation of Christmas. The Advent wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The candles mark the Advent season of preparation as the world awaited the coming of the Christ child.
The Advent wreath is usually made of evergreen boughs, symbolizing ongoing life and hope. The circular wreath represents eternity and the endless love of God. The four candles correspond to the four weeks of the Advent season as well as the thousands of years that humanity awaited the world’s Savior.
Each candle on the Advent wreath has its own meaning:
The Prophecy Candle
The first purple candle symbolizes hope and expectation. It recalls the prophecies made about the coming Messiah and Jesus’ long-awaited arrival. Lighting this candle marks the anticipation of the Savior’s birth.
The Bethlehem Candle
The second purple candle represents faith. It honors Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their role in the nativity story. This candle is a reminder of the faith necessary to make the sacrifices asked of Mary and Joseph.
The Shepherd’s Candle
The third pink candle symbolizes joy. It celebrates the joy the world felt at the coming of the Christ child. The shepherds felt great joy when the angels announced Jesus’ birth.
The Angel’s Candle
The final purple candle represents peace. It commemorates the message of the angels – “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Jesus’ birth marked the coming of the Prince of Peace prophesied about in Isaiah 9:6.
The Christ Candle
Many Advent wreaths also have a white candle in the center known as the Christ candle. This candle represents Jesus Christ, the light of the world. It is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day to celebrate the Savior’s birth. This central candle visually reminds Christians that Christ is at the very center of the Christmas season.
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are often used to decorate mantles and window sills during the Christmas season. These tall taper candles symbolize Christ, the pillar of the Christian faith. Their straight shape pointing upward also reminds Christians of the pathway to heaven made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are another candle commonly used at Christmas time. These small candles are lit to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. The candles represent her spirit of devotion and humility. The small, flickering light of the votive candles help Christians remember the immense faith of the young Mary.
Colored Christmas Candles
Christmas candles often come in an array of festive colors that also hold significance. Here is the symbolism behind some colored Christmas candles:
| Red | The blood Jesus shed on the cross |
| White | Purity and holiness |
| Green | Eternal life and the evergreen trees of Christmas |
| Gold | The light, glory, and majesty of Jesus |
| Blue | The blue skies the angels descended from to announce Jesus’ birth |
| Silver | The star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men to Jesus |
The Yule Log
The Yule log is a traditional Christmas candle that originated in Europe but is still used today. It is a large, thick candle that represents the logs burned in fireplaces many years ago at Christmas time. The huge candles would be lit on Christmas Eve and were expected to burn all through the night and into Christmas day.
The Yule log symbolized light, warmth, and life in the winter darkness. Its slowly melting wax represents the dying year giving way to the new year and new life. Christians see the Yule log candle as symbolizing Jesus Christ come to bring light and life to those lost in the darkness of sin.
The Chrismon Candle
The Chrismon candle developed out of the Lutheran church in 1957. Chrismon is a combination of “Christ” and “monogram”. The candles feature Christian symbols that represent Jesus such as the cross and the fish. The candles serve as a visual proclamation of the Savior who came at Christmas.
The Unity Candle
Some married couples light a unity candle at their wedding to symbolize their joining together. But this tradition actually originated with the Christmas unity candle. The candle is lit by the bride and groom from two smaller candles representing their former individual lives.
The unity candle reminds Christians that just as two become one in marriage, God became one with humanity at Christ’s birth. Jesus united the divine with the earthly just as the two smaller candles come together in the unity candle flame.
Candles in Windows at Christmas
Placing lit candles in windows is a Christmas tradition in many cultures. During Advent and Christmastide, this tradition carries important symbolism. The lit window candles represent openness and hospitality, welcoming in both human visitors and the spirit of Christ.
The warm glow beaming out into the December darkness also represents Jesus coming into the world as a light in the darkness. It mirrors the light and openness that his birth brought to closed hearts and minds.
Conclusion
Whether in the Advent wreath, windowsills, or centerpieces, candles are an essential element of the symbolic Christmas season. Their flickering flames and variety of colors give visual representation to the profound spiritual truths Christians celebrate at Christmastime.
The candles of Christmas connect believers to the historical events and spiritual meaning of Jesus’ birth. They serve as a meaningful reminder of the light, life, and hope that came into the world the night the Christ child was born two thousand years ago.
