Yahoo Lifestyle What Is the Meaning Behind Advent Wreaths and Candles? They're More Than Just Pretty Decorations
The word "advent" means "coming," and the month of December is the season of Advent where we wait expectantly and get our hearts ready for Christmas and the celebration of Christ's birth. A way to symbolize this time is to set out an advent wreath and candles. The candles are typically placed on the wreath and each one has its own meaning that is meant to focus on the different aspects of getting ready for Christmas.
If you've never used an Advent wreath and candles before, we'll explain their meaning, colors, and how it all started. The wreath itself is a symbol, and each of the candles has its own distinct meaning for each of the four weeks prior to Christmas. Although traditions vary, the basic premise of the Advent wreath and candles is the same.
Read further as we discuss the meaning of the Advent wreath and candles in greater detail. We'll start with how the tradition began.
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Advent Wreath and Candles Meaning
Advent wreaths and candles are more than just pretty Christmas decorations. The arrangement of an evergreen wreath with four candles (five, if you choose to feature one for Christmas Day itself) has special meaning and is used to put our focus on the upcoming celebration of Jesus' birth.
An Advent wreath is circular and symbolizes everlasting life and unending love. The arrangement is used to put our attention on the meaning of Christmas. The candles, in particular, put our focus on hope, faith, joy and peace. A new candle is lit every Sunday before Christmas.
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When Does Advent Begin in 2024?
Advent began on Sunday, December 1, and is celebrated each Sunday leading up to Christmas (ending on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024).
When Did the First Advent Season Start?
The first Advent took place in either the 4th or 5th century. It was a time of prayer and fasting for new Christians. Advent gradually developed into a season that lasted four weeks leading up to Christmas.
The tradition as we know it today became popular in 1839 when the first Advent wreath appeared.
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What Is the History and Tradition of the Advent Wreath?
The first Advent wreath was made in Germany in 1839. It wasn't like the ones we see today, though. That first wreath was created by a Lutheran minister named Johann Hinrich Wichern and was made out of a wheel from a cart. He placed 20 small red candles and four large candles inside the wheel. The red candles were lit on weekdays, and the white ones were lit each Sunday. It was a way for children to count down the days until Christmas.
At some point, an evergreen wreath was used instead of the wheel, and the tradition was born. The circular wreath (which is comprised of evergreens) symbolizes everlasting life. When other decorations are added to a wreath, they typically have a meaning as well.
Holly berries, being red, symbolize Jesus dying on the cross and shedding His blood for our sins. Even pine cones added to a wreath have significance and symbolize the new life we are given through resurrection.
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Why Are Advent Candles Purple, Pink and White?
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In most cases, Advent candles are purple, pink and white. However, some traditions use all red or all white. Some even substitute blue for purple. We'll go over the meaning of each color and why the color is used.
Purple Candles
Typically, three of the four Advent candles are purple—the first, second and fourth ones. The first candle, or "Prophet's Candle," symbolizes hope. The color means royalty, repentance and fasting. It puts the focus on self-denial by abstaining from food or other pleasures to reflect on Christ's coming. It's a way to get in the right frame of mind in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus.
The second purple candle, which is also called the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizes faith. Micah foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, so this candle puts the focus on preparation for the King and the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
The fourth candle means peace and is also called the "Angel's Candle" because the angels announced that Jesus was coming to bring peace. Purple is used to symbolize the love that comes through Christ.
Pink Candles
This third Advent candle represents the joy that the shepherds felt when they found out about the coming of the Messiah. It is also known as the "Shepherd's Candle."
White Candles
The fifth candle is optional and, when used, is typically put in the center of the wreath. White stands for light and purity and is known as "Christ's Candle." This white candle is lit on Christmas Day.
What Other Colors Are Used for Advent Candles?
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Although not as common, there are other candle colors used during Advent as well. Each one has its own meaning for Christmas. Here are the most common ones:
Red: Red Advent colors have German roots. The color symbolizes communion and is used to promote religious unity. The color red has always been a prominent Christmas color.
Blue: Blue Advent candles have the same meaning as traditional purple candles. This color is sometimes used in place of purple to differentiate between Advent and Lent.
Green: Green represents faith and is sometimes used with an Advent wreath.
Gold: Another popular Christmas color is gold, which symbolizes love and kingship.
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How the Advent Wreath Varies by Religion
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For most Christian religions, Advent is a time of preparation for celebrating the coming of Christ. However, each Christian denomination that uses an Advent wreath and candles may do it a little differently. That being said, each candle represents one aspect of Advent and is lit to symbolize Jesus bringing light into the world. Here is how the Advent wreath is used by the major religions.
Catholic Churches
Catholic churches use the traditional colors of purple, pink and white. They use the purple color to signify penance. It's also the color worn by the priest. The pink candle is used to represent rejoicing.
Greek Orthodox Churches
Orthodox Christians observe Advent for a longer period of time. Instead of one month, it is 40 days. They use six different candles—green, blue, gold, white, purple and red.
Lutheran Churches
Lutheran churches in the U.S. typically follow the same tradition as Catholic churches, using traditional candle colors. In some cases, though, they will use four blue candles instead. The blue candles represent hope and expectation.
Protestant Churches
Protestant churches tend to use blue candles as well, or all white.
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What Are the Four Points of Advent?
The four points of Advent are hope, peace, joy and love. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, a candle representing one of these themes is lit to reflect the coming of Jesus Christ. Throughout this event, hope symbolizes expectation, peace focuses on comfort, joy celebrates Jesus's arrival and love represents God's gift (through His Son).
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