The second candle of Advent is often called the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation. It represents the preparations being made for the coming of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. The traditional verse associated with the second candle of Advent comes from the Gospel of Luke:
The Verse
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
This verse is Luke 2:4-7 (NIV). It is a prophecy about the birthplace of the Messiah, predicting that Bethlehem would be the city where the savior would be born. Though Bethlehem was small, the prophet Micah foretold that it would be the birthplace of the great ruler whose origins stretch back to eternity past. This prophecy was famously fulfilled when Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.
The Meaning
During the season of Advent, this verse reminds us to prepare our hearts to receive Christ, the eternal King born in humble Bethlehem. It calls us to reflect on the prophecies that told of the Messiah’s coming and how Jesus fulfilled these ancient promises when he took on flesh and dwelt among us.
The Bethlehem Candle is lit in Advent wreaths during the second week leading up to Christmas. As we light this candle, we remember God’s faithfulness in sending the Savior according to His perfect timing and plan. The light of this candle encourages us to prepare room in our hearts and lives for the coming of our Lord and King.
History
The exact origins of the Advent wreath are uncertain, but it dates back to at least the Middle Ages among German Lutherans. The symbolism of the wreath itself reminds us of God’s unending love and faithfulness, while the lighting of the candles marks the approach of Christmas and Christ’s coming.
The traditional Advent wreath contains four candles arranged in a circle of evergreen boughs. The wreath traditionally contains three purple candles and one pink candle. The Bethlehem Candle is the second purple candle lit on the wreath.
The tradition of associating specific Advent verses with each candle emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries. Bible verses were matched to each candle based on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The Bethlehem Candle verse reflects the theme of preparation.
Traditions
There are several traditions associated with the lighting of the Bethlehem Candle:
- It is lit on the second Sunday of Advent, two weeks before Christmas Day.
- The first, second, and fourth candles are traditionally purple, symbolizing royalty and penitence.
- Many families light the candles at dinner time or in the evening.
- The candles are often lit by children in the family or in church settings.
- As the candle is lit, the leader reads aloud the verse for that week.
- Some families or churches include songs, prayers, or other reflections as part of the candle lighting.
No matter how it is observed, the lighting of the Bethlehem Candle serves as a meaningful reminder to prepare our hearts to receive the promised Messiah who was born to save us.
Other Names
In addition to the Bethlehem Candle, the second Advent candle sometimes goes by other names that evoke similar themes:
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Candle of Preparation | Reflects preparing for Christ’s coming |
| The Candle of Prophecy | Reminds us of prophecies foretelling Christ |
| The Candle of Journey | Represents the journey to Bethlehem |
Second Week of Advent
The second Sunday of Advent marks the second week of the Advent season. During this week, the focus is on preparing both internally (spiritually) and externally for Christmas.
Here are some ways to observe the second week of Advent:
- Light the Bethlehem Candle on your Advent wreath each day.
- Display a Nativity scene in your home and reflect on the journey to Bethlehem.
- Read the prophecy of Messiah’s birth from Micah 5:2-5a.
- Sing or listen to songs about Christ’s birth like “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
- Spend time in confession and repentance, clearing your heart for Christ.
- Do acts of service and giving to bless others in practical ways.
- Take time for contemplative prayer and Scripture reading.
- Create a more peaceful home atmosphere as you wait expectantly.
For Families
The second week of Advent is a great time to engage children and teach them about the meaning of Christmas in creative ways. Here are some ideas for families:
- Act out the Nativity story and explain the journey to Bethlehem.
- Bake and decorate cookies in the shapes of Nativity figures.
- Make an Advent chain, removing one link each day to count down.
- Craft Bethlehem Candle decorations from paper or fabric.
- Set up the manger scene but leave out Jesus until closer to Christmas.
- Have a candlelight devotional before bed, reading prophecies of Christ’s birth.
- Do a random act of kindness together each day during Advent.
Making preparation fun and hands-on helps children engage more with the purpose of Advent. But be sure to explain that while activities are nice, preparing our hearts spiritually is even more important.
Conclusion
The second Sunday of Advent marks a time of preparation as we journey in spirit towards Bethlehem to celebrate Christ’s birth. The traditional verse for the Bethlehem Candle reminds us of the prophecies promising that the Messiah would be born in humble Bethlehem, though small among worldly cities. As we light the second purple candle, we remember to prepare room in our hearts for the coming King through prayer, repentance, and acts of selfless service.
Advent is a precious time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in sending the Savior according to His Word. The lighting of the Bethlehem Candle ushers in the second week of Advent as we make ready to welcome Christ, the light of the world.