Tyler Brooks
The Christ candle is a large pillar candle that symbolises the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born. It is usually lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and remains lit throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Christ candle is often placed in the centre of an Advent wreath, surrounded by four blue or purple candles, which are lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. The Christ candle is also lit during Epiphany, which marks the end of the Christmas season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the Christ candle lit? | On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day |
| When is the Christ candle unlit? | After the feast of the Epiphany |
| What does the Christ candle represent? | The light that the Son brought into the world when he was born |
| What is the colour of the Christ candle? | White |
| When is the Christ candle lit in some churches? | Each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas |
| When is the Christ candle lit in some congregations? | On the fourth Sunday of Advent |
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What You'll Learn
The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve
The Christ candle is a significant part of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations for many Christians. It is usually lit on Christmas Eve, along with the four Advent candles, to signify that Christ has come and the promise of the Advent season has been fulfilled. The lighting of the Christ candle marks the transition from Advent into Christmas.
The Christ candle is often placed in the centre of an Advent wreath, surrounded by the four Advent candles. These Advent candles are traditionally blue or purple and are lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The Christ candle, in contrast, is usually white, symbolising the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born.
On Christmas Eve, the Christ candle takes centre stage, with some churches and families choosing to light only this candle, signifying that Christ, the light of the world, has arrived. This candle continues to be lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas, reminding Christians that Christ is always present and that his light shines for everyone.
While the duration for which the Christ candle remains lit after Christmas varies across different congregations and traditions, it is clear that this candle holds a special significance during the Christmas season. The Christ candle is a powerful symbol of Christ's light and the joy and fulfilment of the Christmas celebration.
In some traditions, the Christ candle may be lit during a baptism, representing an individual's new life in Christ. It can also be used as part of a ritual where people write down their sins, then burn the paper in the flame of the Christ candle, symbolising Christ as the scapegoat who has taken away their sins.
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It is also lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas
The Christ candle is lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, marking the end of the Advent period and the start of Christmas. The Advent candles are usually removed after Christmas Day, but the Christ candle remains.
The Christ candle is often lit during Christmas services. In some churches, the Christ candle is lit at the beginning of each service, except during Advent when it is replaced by the Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is a devotional tradition, with a long history. It involves lighting candles to symbolise the progression towards the birth of Christ. The circular wreath symbolises God's unchanging nature. Each Sunday during Advent, a new candle is lit, with the Christ candle lit on the fourth Sunday.
The Christ candle is also lit during the Christmas season, which ends with the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, celebrated on the first Sunday after the Epiphany. The Epiphany season is a time to keep the emphasis on light, with the Christ candle lit for each service.
The Christ candle is a powerful symbol. It represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born. It signifies that Christ has come and that his light shines for everyone. The Christ candle is a reminder that Christ is always present and that he has become our scapegoat, burning away our sins.
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The Christ candle remains lit on Christmas Day and the Sundays after
The Christ candle is a symbol of the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born, God in the flesh. The candle is usually lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and it remains lit on Christmas Day and the Sundays after.
The Christ candle is often placed in the centre of an Advent wreath, surrounded by four Advent candles. Each week during Advent, a new candle is lit until all the candles burn on Christmas or Christmas Eve. The four Advent candles are lit to help recall and experience the purpose and themes of Advent, including waiting, longing, and hoping.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the Christ candle is lit to signify that Christ has come and the promise has been fulfilled. The Advent candles are usually removed, and the Christ candle remains lit during the Twelve Days of Christmas. This tradition is practised by many churches and families to mark the progression toward the birth of Christ.
The Christ candle continues to be lit on the Sundays after Christmas, reminding us that the old things have passed away, all has been made new, and Christ gives his light to everyone. The number of Sundays after Christmas depends on which day of the week Christmas falls on. There is always at least one Sunday after Christmas, and often there are two.
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The Christ candle is lit during Epiphany
The Christ candle is a significant part of Christian worship, and its lighting is a beloved tradition for many families and congregations. The Christ candle is lit during the Christmas Eve service, marking the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas. The lighting of the Christ candle symbolises the arrival of Christ, the light of the world, and the fulfilment of God's promise.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the four Advent candles are traditionally lit alongside the Christ candle. However, some congregations may opt to light only the Christ candle after Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, as the Advent themes of waiting, longing, and preparing transition into the celebration and joy of Christmas.
The Christ candle continues to be lit during the Twelve Days of Christmas, reminding worshippers that Christ is always present and bringing light to the world. In some traditions, the Christ candle is also lit during the Epiphany season, which falls shortly after Christmas and ends with the feast of the Baptism of Jesus.
The lighting of the Christ candle is a powerful symbol of hope and new beginnings. It serves as a reminder that "old things have passed away, all has been made new, and Christ gives his light to everyone" (John 1:9). This tradition is observed by many Christian families and congregations worldwide, bringing light and warmth to the Christmas season and beyond.
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The Christ candle is not lit during Advent
The Christ candle is a large pillar candle that represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born. It is traditionally white, while the four Advent candles are traditionally blue or purple. During Advent, the themes of waiting, longing, and preparing are prevalent. These themes are reflected in the lighting of the Advent candles, which help mark the progression toward the birth of Christ.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the full wreath of Advent candles, including the Christ candle, is lit to symbolize that Christ, the light of the world, has arrived. The Christ candle is then lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas. The lighting of the Christ candle during this time serves as a reminder that Christ has become our scapegoat and burned our sins from God's memory. Worshippers are invited to write down their sins from the previous year and burn them using the flame from the Christ candle.
While the Christ candle is primarily associated with Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, some churches and families may choose to incorporate it into their Advent wreaths. In such cases, the Christ candle would be lit alongside the four Advent candles during Advent, symbolizing the anticipation and preparation for the coming of Christ. However, the primary significance of the Christ candle remains tied to the celebration of Christmas rather than the anticipatory period of Advent.
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Frequently asked questions
The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The four Advent candles are lit each Sunday during Advent, with the final Advent candle being lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The Christ candle is lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas. It can also be lit during Epiphany.
