The advent wreath is very symbolic. The circular wreath reminds us of eternity, and that God has no beginning or end. The wreath should always be made of evergreen branches, which never die. This reminds us that Christ was raised from the dead and is alive, never to die again. It also points us to our hope of eternal life in Christ.
Some people put holly berries on the wreath to remind them of drops of Christ’s blood. In our family we place a silk rose on the wreath to remind us of Jesus, the Rose of Sharon. The candles, taken together, remind us of Christ’s light, coming into the world. Each Sunday in advent a new candle is lit. As each week passes, the previous week’s candles are lit along with the new candle, until on Christmas day, all 5 candles burn brightly as a symbol that Christ’s light has come into the world. The primary focus of the candles is on increasing light. As the weeks pass, our expectation and anticipation grows until on Christmas day all the candles are lit and we rejoice. “Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
Each individual candle has its own unique meaning. Traditionally, there are 3 purple candles, symbolizing royalty. It can be hard to find purple candles, so sometimes blue candles, which represent hope, are substituted. There is also one pink candle on the wreath, which is always lit the 3rd Sunday in Advent, and a larger white candle in the center.
Cal blowing out the advent candles last year. As you can see, I had two pink candles instead of one. I couldn’t find enough purple candles, so I used what I had on hand. The symbolism of the different colored candles is nice, but I am not legalistic about it, personally. I do my best and don’t stress over the rest!
On the first Sunday of Advent, which is celebrated 4 Sundays before Christmas, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is traditionally the candle of prophecy, when we remember the many prophecies that were told about Jesus before his birth.
Isaiah 9 is a good passage to read when lighting this candle.
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
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.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
O Come, O Come, Immanuel is a good song to sing the first Sunday of Advent.
On the second Sunday in Advent, two candles are lit. The second purple candle represents the Angels. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to a son, and an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was born, the angels appeared in the sky singing praises. A good song for this week might be Angels We Have Heard on High or Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
The third candle to be lit is the pink or rose colored candle. The pink candle represents joy, and the third week we think about the Shepherds who were out in the fields at night when suddenly, we read in Luke 2, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were afraid. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'” The First Noel would be an appropriate song for this week.
The fourth candle is lit the Sunday before Christmas. This candle represents the Magi, who followed a star from far off to visit the Christ child. They brought him gifts and worshiped him, and returned home by another way rather than betray Him to Herod who was seeking to kill the child. We Three Kings is a great song for this week.
On Christmas Day the final candle is lit. The large white candle in the center of the wreath is the Christ candle. This candle reminds us of the light of the world, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We read in John 1: 1-5,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
