Chloe Adams
The Christ Candle is a white candle that symbolises the purity found in the birth of Christ. It is the fifth and final candle on the Advent wreath, which is made of evergreen branches and adorned with four other candles, usually purple or blue, and sometimes one pink candle. Each candle is lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent, with the Christ Candle lit on Christmas Eve. The Christ Candle represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born, as described in the Bible: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 4 or 5 |
| Position | Centre of the wreath |
| Colour | White |
| Symbolism | Purity, light, victory, restoration, holiness, godliness, regeneration |
| Lit on | Christmas Eve, the Twelve Days of Christmas, Epiphany |
| Other colours | Purple, pink, blue |
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What You'll Learn
- The Christ candle is white, symbolising purity, light, victory, and holiness
- Purple Advent candles represent royalty, repentance, and fasting
- Pink Advent candles represent rejoicing, joy, and triumph
- Advent candles are lit each Sunday to prepare for the coming of Christ
- The Christ candle is the only one left burning on Christmas Day
The Christ candle is white, symbolising purity, light, victory, and holiness
The Christ candle is a large white candle, often placed in the centre of an Advent wreath, surrounded by four purple or blue candles. Each Sunday of Advent, a new candle is lit to mark the passing of time. Then, on Christmas Eve, the Christ candle is lit alongside the four Advent candles.
The colour white also represents the purity found in the birth of Christ. In the Bible, Isaiah writes: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool". This passage symbolises the idea that Jesus washes away the sins of those who accept him as their saviour, making them pure, just as snow is white.
The Christ candle remains lit on Christmas Day and the Sundays after, reminding Christians that "old things have passed away, all has been made new, and Christ gives his light to everyone". The candle is often burned through Epiphany on 6 January, representing the star that the Wise Men followed.
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Purple Advent candles represent royalty, repentance, and fasting
The Advent wreath, a circular garland of evergreen branches, is adorned with four candles (or five, if you include Christmas Day itself). This arrangement holds symbolic meaning for Christians, representing eternity, unending love, and the arrival of Jesus Christ. The wreath and its candles are used to focus on the sacred phases of spiritual preparation and getting ready for the birth of Jesus.
The three main Advent candle colors are purple, pink, and white, and each color is packed with rich meaning. Purple Advent candles, the most common color, symbolize royalty, repentance, and fasting. Purple is the color of royalty and kingship, and it signifies the sovereignty of Christ, the "King of Kings". It is also the color of Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation. The use of purple during Advent underscores these themes of preparation and spiritual reflection. The custom of fasting involves Christians denying themselves food or other pleasures as a way to show devotion to God and prepare their hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus. The first Advent candle, the "Prophet's Candle", is purple and symbolizes hope. The second candle, the "Bethlehem Candle", also purple, symbolizes faith and the journey to Bethlehem. The fourth candle, the "Angel's Candle", represents peace and the love that comes through Christ.
The third Advent candle is pink, known as the “Shepherd's Candle" or "Candle of Joy", and it is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, which means "rejoice" in Latin. Pink represents joy and triumph and signifies a shift from repentance to celebration. Scripture readings for this candle include passages that emphasize joy and rejoicing, such as Philippians 4:4-7.
The fifth and final Advent candle, positioned centrally, is white and is known as the “Christ Candle”. It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, representing the arrival of Jesus Christ, the "Light of the World". White symbolizes purity, light, restoration, holiness, and victory. It also represents hope and new beginnings, reminding Christians of the promise of Christ's coming and the salvation it brings.
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Pink Advent candles represent rejoicing, joy, and triumph
The Advent wreath is a significant tradition in the Advent season, which is an important part of the Christmas holidays for Christians around the world. The wreath, made of evergreen branches, is a symbol of eternity and unending love. It is adorned with four or five candles, with one candle lit each Sunday during the Advent season. The three main colours of the Advent candles—purple, pink, and white—represent the spiritual preparation that believers undergo to ready their hearts and minds for the birth or second coming of Jesus Christ.
The third candle on the Advent wreath is pink, and it is known as the Shepherd Candle or the Candle of Joy. It is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. The term "Gaudete" comes from the Latin word for "rejoice", and it signifies a sense of joy and anticipation as Christmas approaches. Thus, the pink Advent candle represents rejoicing, triumph, and the nearness of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The colour pink is associated with joy and rejoicing in the Bible. Scripture readings for the pink candle include passages that emphasise these emotions, such as Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
The lighting of the pink Advent candle marks a transition in the season of Advent, moving away from repentance and towards celebration. It is a time to rejoice in the arrival of the Messiah and to seek and find Him with joy. The light of the world sweeps away the darkness in our world and in our hearts.
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Advent candles are lit each Sunday to prepare for the coming of Christ
The Advent candles are lit each Sunday to prepare for the coming of Christ, with each of the four candles representing an aspect of spiritual preparation. The first candle is purple, symbolizing penance, preparation, and sacrifice. During the first week of Advent, Christians remember the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus with hope and anticipation. The second candle is also purple, and the colour purple is associated with royalty, repentance, and fasting. The spiritual discipline of denying oneself food or some other pleasure is one of the ways Christians show their devotion to God and prepare their hearts for his arrival.
The third candle is pink, known as the Shepherd Candle or the Candle of Joy. The colour pink represents rejoicing, and the lighting of this candle signifies the joy of the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day. On the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, a pink candle is lit in the Advent wreath to represent the joy and nearness of the birth of Jesus Christ. The fourth Advent candle is purple and is called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.
The fifth and final candle, lit on Christmas Eve, is the Christ Candle, and it is white. This colour represents the purity found in the birth of Christ, as well as light, regeneration, and godliness. The Christ Candle represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born, as described in John 1:4-5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The lighting of the Christ Candle on Christmas Eve, along with all four Advent candles, serves as a reminder to repent and prepare for the coming of Christ.
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The Christ candle is the only one left burning on Christmas Day
The Christ candle is the only candle left burning on Christmas Day, reminding Christians that old things have passed away, and all has been made new. It is a symbol of the light that Jesus brought into the world when he was born, God in the flesh.
The Christ candle is usually white, the colour of purity, light, and victory. It is also a symbol of restoration and holiness. Jesus is the saviour, the sinless, spotless, pure saviour, and the light in the darkness. The white Christ candle is placed in the centre of the Advent wreath, surrounded by four purple or blue candles, and sometimes one pink candle.
The Advent wreath and its candles are full of symbolism. The wreath, made of evergreen branches, symbolises continuous life, with the circular shape signifying everlasting life in Christ, the eternity of God, and the immortality of the soul. The evergreens used are chosen for their meanings: laurel represents victory over persecution and suffering, holly, pine, and yew represent immortality, and cedar represents strength and healing.
The four Advent candles represent Jesus coming as the light in the darkness, and each candle lit on the Sundays leading up to Christmas Day signifies spiritual preparation and anticipation for the celebration of the first coming of Jesus. Purple, the primary colour of Advent, symbolises royalty, repentance, and fasting, while pink represents rejoicing and joy, and the transition to celebration.
The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve, along with all four Advent candles, and it is the only one left burning on Christmas Day. Some churches burn the Christ candle through Epiphany on January 6th, reminding Christians of the star that the Wise Men followed.
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Frequently asked questions
White.
The Christ candle represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born, God in the flesh. It symbolises purity, light, regeneration, godliness, and victory.
The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve, along with all four Advent candles. It is also lit each night during the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The three Advent candle colours are purple, pink, and white. Some churches use blue instead of purple.
