Chloe Adams
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that involves lighting candles in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The wreath is usually made of evergreen leaves, symbolising the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ. While the colours of the candles vary, the first candle is often purple or blue and symbolises hope. The second candle symbolises faith, the third joy, and the fourth love. The fifth candle, known as the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and symbolises the arrival of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 4 or 5 |
| Shape | Circular |
| Material | Evergreen leaves |
| Lighting time | One candle lit every Sunday of Advent until Christmas |
| First candle | Hope, anticipation of the coming of Christ |
| Second candle | Faith, the journey to Bethlehem |
| Third candle | Joy, the chorus of angels |
| Fourth candle | Love |
| Fifth candle (Christ candle) | Light, purity, arrival of Christ |
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What You'll Learn
The first candle symbolises hope and is called the 'Prophet's Candle'
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. The Advent wreath is circular, representing God's infinite love, and is usually made of evergreen leaves, which symbolize the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ. The wreath holds four candles, sometimes five, with the fifth candle placed in the centre. The first candle, also known as the "Prophecy Candle", represents hope and is called the Prophet's Candle.
The purple candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, symbolizing anticipation, penance, and preparation. The colour purple is a reminder of the repentance and fasting that occurred during the anticipation of the Lord's coming. The lighting of the first candle is accompanied by Bible readings, devotional time, and prayers. Scripture readings and prayers during this week often focus on the prophecies in the Old Testament about the promised Saviour and the expectation of His arrival. Christians reflect on the theme of hope and the idea that Christ's coming brings hope to a world in need of salvation.
The Prophet's Candle is also called the candle of Expectation, not the hope that "wishes something will happen" but a Hope that "knows it will happen". The light of the candle symbolizes Jesus, the light of the world, coming into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. The flame of the candle reminds worshippers that something is happening, and more is yet to come.
The Advent wreath tradition dates back to the 4th or 5th century, with the term “Advent Wreath” first appearing in literature in 1851. By 1860, Advent wreaths were common in many parts of Europe.
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The second candle symbolises faith and is known as the Bethlehem Candle
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. The tradition of lighting candles in the four weeks leading up to Christmas dates back to the 4th or 5th century. The second candle symbolizes faith and is known as the Bethlehem Candle.
The Advent wreath is traditionally a Lutheran practice, but it has spread to many other Christian denominations. The wreath is usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ". The second Advent candle, also known as the Bethlehem candle, prompts believers to remember the almost 100-mile journey Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem to comply with Caesar’s census order.
The wreath is circular, representing God's infinite love, and is placed in a circle around a wreath. The second candle is usually purple, and it is common for the wreath to have four purple candles, reflecting their traditional use in Christmas decorations. The wreath is often accompanied by Bible readings, devotional time, and prayers. The custom originated in family settings but has also become widespread in public worship.
The Advent wreath is used to symbolize newness, eternal life, and the death and resurrection of the promised Messiah. The lighting of the candles and prayers recited in the weeks leading up to Christmas are part of the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, is a reminder of the journey to Bethlehem and the role it played in the Christmas story.
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The third candle is pink and symbolises joy
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolises the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. The lighting of Advent candles is a reminder of the anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ.
The colour of the candles can vary, but it is common for the third candle to be pink, red, or a pinkish hue. In some cases, all the candles are red, blue, or white. The third candle is sometimes called the Advent Candle of Joy.
The Advent wreath is usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ". The wreath is circular, representing God's infinite love.
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The fourth candle symbolises love
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. The lighting of the candles and prayers recited in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The tradition of lighting candles in anticipation of Christmas dates back to the 4th or 5th century.
The fourth candle of the Advent wreath symbolizes love. This candle is also known as the Advent Candle of Love. The circular shape of the Advent wreath represents God's infinite love and is usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ".
The fourth candle is traditionally lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is the last Sunday of Advent. On this day, all four candles of the Advent wreath are lit, with the Christ candle being lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Christ candle is placed in the middle of the wreath as a reminder that Christ is at the centre of all things.
The Advent wreath is not exclusive to churches, and many families and individuals have one at home, observing the tradition of lighting the candles each Sunday during Advent.
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The fifth candle is white and represents Christ
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. The circular wreath represents God's infinite love and is usually made of evergreen leaves, which represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ.
The lighting of the Christ candle is accompanied by the lighting of the other four candles, which are lit in the four weeks preceding Christmas. The first candle, representing hope, is lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, with two candles lit on the third Sunday, three on the second, and all four on the Sunday before Christmas. The wreath and its candles are a reminder of the hope and joy to come.
The Advent wreath is not exclusive to churches, and many families and individuals have one at home, observing the tradition of lighting the candles each Sunday.
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