The Advent wreath is a traditional part of celebrating the season of Advent in many Christian churches. The wreath holds four or five candles, which are lit progressively on each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Each candle has a special meaning and symbolism that relates to the Christmas story and the anticipation of Christ’s birth. Understanding the colors and order of lighting the Advent candles can help add deeper meaning to this beloved Advent tradition.
What Are the Colors of the Advent Candles?
There are four candles on a traditional Advent wreath, and each candle has a different color:
| 3 purple candles | Symbolize penitence and preparation |
| 1 pink candle | Symbolizes joy |
| 1 white candle | Symbolizes the purity of Christ |
The three purple candles have traditionally been used to symbolize penitence and sacrificial preparation for Christ’s coming. Purple is the liturgical color associated with penitence in the Catholic and some Protestant traditions. The purple candles remind us that Advent is a season of spiritual preparation marked by prayer, fasting, and repentance as we await the Messiah.
The pink candle represents a shift on the third Sunday of Advent. As Christmas draws closer, the theme of the season transitions to a more joyous tone. Pink or rose is a liturgical color associated with joy, so a pink candle is used on the third Sunday to mark this transition and remind us that the coming of Jesus is near.
The white candle is placed in the center of the wreath. It represents Christ and his purity. The white candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to symbolize the arrival of the Light of the World that the darkness cannot overcome.
What is the Order of Lighting the Advent Candles?
The Advent candles follow a set order of lighting over the four Sundays preceding Christmas:
| 1st Sunday | Light the first purple candle |
| 2nd Sunday | Light the first and second purple candle |
| 3rd Sunday | Light the first two purple candles and the pink candle |
| 4th Sunday | Light all four candles (two purple, one pink, one white) |
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents hope or prophecy.
On the second Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle from the prior week is relit, and then the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents faith or Bethlehem.
On the third Sunday of Advent, two purple candles from the prior weeks are relit, the pink candle is lit, and then the two other purple candles are relit. This pink candle represents joy.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit from previous weeks – two purple, one pink, and the fourth being the white candle in the center representing Christ.
The progressive lighting builds anticipation each week as we draw closer to Christmas. The increasing light signifies the coming of Christ who enters the world to dispel darkness.
Additional Candle Colors and Meanings
Beyond the traditional three purple, one pink, and one white, some Protestant traditions add a fifth candle to the Advent wreath. This candle can be white or gold, and represents the Christmas season and the coming of Christ from Christmas Day to Epiphany on January 6.
If a fifth candle is added for Christmas, the order of lighting the candles is:
| 1st Sunday | 1 purple candle |
| 2nd Sunday | 1st purple candle + 2nd purple candle |
| 3rd Sunday | 2 purple candles + pink candle |
| 4th Sunday | 2 purple candles + 1 pink candle + 1 white candle |
| Christmas | All 4 candles + white or gold Christ candle |
This fifth candle represents the arrival of the Light of the World. Other variations assign the four candles specific symbolic meanings:
| 1st Candle | Prophecy candle or Hope candle |
| 2nd Candle | Bethlehem candle or Faith candle |
| 3rd Candle | Shepherd candle or Joy candle |
| 4th Candle | Angel candle or Peace candle |
| 5th Candle | Christ candle |
The colors can also vary in some traditions:
| Week 1 | Purple candle |
| Week 2 | Purple candle |
| Week 3 | Pink candle |
| Week 4 | Blue candle |
| Christmas | White Christ candle |
So there are many different Advent candle variations, but the overall meaning remains the same – the progressive lighting of the candles builds anticipatory joy as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas.
History of the Advent Wreath
The origins of the Advent wreath can be traced back to an old European custom in the Middle Ages. Christians would make a wreath of evergreen boughs to symbolize eternity and the endless love of God. They would often place it around a candle holder that held the Christ candle.
In the 16th century, Lutherans in Germany began placing four candles in the evergreen wreath and lighting one more each week leading to Christmas. Some believe the four candles represent the roughly 4,000 years that humanity waited between Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus.
The circle shape of the wreath represents God’s endless love and mercy with no beginning and no end. The evergreen boughs symbolize the promise of eternal life in Christ and the newness of life that comes through faith in Jesus.
By the 19th century, the modern Advent wreath emerged with three purple candles and one pink candle. The symbolism and meaning behind each candle developed as the wreath was adopted more widely among Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Today, the Advent wreath remains a beloved tradition for anticipating the Nativity of Christ while spending time in spiritual preparation through prayer, reflection, and lighting the symbolic candles week by week.
How to Use the Advent Wreath in Worship
Here are some tips for incorporating the Advent wreath meaningfully in church services or home worship:
– Display the unlit wreath prominently at the front of the worship space.
– Light the appropriate candles at the start of worship each week. Say a prayer or read a Scripture verse about that candle’s meaning. Sing an Advent hymn.
– Decorate the candles with ribbon, holly, pine cones, or other seasonal decor to reinforce symbolic meanings.
– Time the lighting ceremony to create a reverent mood. Dim other lights, use unscented candles, have acolytes light the candles.
– Include children and youth in the lighting. Explain the symbolism in an age-appropriate way.
– Add variety to the wreath lighting. Occasionally change the order, rotate leaders, incorporate responsive readings.
– Connect the wreath ceremony to the day’s Scripture passages and Advent theme in the sermon.
– Extinguish the candles after worship concludes, except the white Christ candle once lit.
– Display the wreath throughout the Christmas season up to Epiphany on January 6.
Ideas for Family Advent Wreaths at Home
The Advent wreath makes a meaningful centerpiece for family Advent observances at home:
– Have a wreath making night. Gather greenery, make decorations, create candle holders. Get creative!
– Print out or make coloring pages about Advent wreath meanings for children.
– Light the candles at dinner time and sing a short Advent song or read a devotional.
– Take turns lighting and blowing out the candles each week. Assign roles for younger kids.
– Connect Scripture readings and brief meditations to the meaning of that week’s candle(s).
– Use electric candles if small children are present. Place real candles safely out of reach.
– Slow down, be present, explain meanings. Use the wreath to teach kids about Advent in an experiential way.
– Weave in family traditions surrounding the wreath like special foods, ornament hanging, activities done only during the lighting.
Conclusion
The Advent wreath provides a symbolic, visual way to mark the progress of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. The colors carry special meanings that add spiritual significance to this beloved tradition. Following the weekly lighting ritual instills a sense of worshipful preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus in the hearts of both children and adults. Displaying and incorporating an Advent wreath into communal or home worship can deepen our connection to the season.