Sarah Mitchell
The Advent wreath is a Catholic tradition that involves lighting candles to mark the four weeks of Advent, which is the season of spiritual waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. The circular wreath, made with evergreens, symbolises eternity and everlasting life in Christ, with each candle representing 1,000 years of humanity's wait for the world's saviour. The four candles, usually three purple and one pink, are lit progressively each Sunday, with an optional fifth white candle lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The lighting of the Advent candles is a beautiful way for Christians to reflect on the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 4 or 5 |
| Candle colours | Violet, purple, pink, rose, white, gold |
| Wreath shape | Circle |
| Symbolism | Everlasting life, love, eternity, expectation, hope |
| Candle lighting order | No prescribed order, except that the pink/rose candle is lit on the third Sunday |
| Scripture readings | Isaiah 64:1–9, Isaiah 40:1–11, John 1:6–8, 8–11 |
| Hymns | 'O Come Divine Messiah', 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' |
| Timing | One candle lit each Sunday during the four weeks of Advent, starting on the first Sunday of Advent |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of the Advent wreath
The Advent wreath is a cherished Catholic tradition observed during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, with each candle dispelling the darkness a little more.
The first candle, which is purple, represents hope. It reminds us of the unwavering hope we hold within us as we await the arrival of our saviour. The second purple candle represents faith and how people believed in God before Jesus's birth. The third candle, which is pink or rose-coloured, embodies joy. It is also called "The Shepherd's Candle". The fourth candle, purple like the first two, represents love. It symbolises the boundless love of God, which we are called to share with others.
On certain Advent wreaths, particularly those commonly seen in churches, a central white candle known as the Christ candle is sometimes lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, symbolising the life of Christ.
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The significance of each candle's colour
The Advent wreath, with its circular shape and evergreen branches, represents eternity and unending love. The four candles on the wreath represent the four weeks of Advent, with one candle lit each Sunday. The lighting of the candles expresses the expectation and hope surrounding the coming of the Messiah.
The first candle of the Advent wreath is purple, also known as the prophecy candle or the candle of hope. It represents the hope that people felt before the birth of Jesus. The second candle is also purple and is called the Bethlehem candle or the candle of preparation. It symbolises faith and how people believed in God before Jesus's birth.
The third candle is pink, also known as the shepherd candle or the candle of joy. It represents the joy that people felt when Jesus was born, marking a shift in the season of Advent from repentance to celebration.
The fourth candle is purple and is called the angel candle or the candle of love. It represents the virtue of love and the figure of Mary.
In addition to these four candles, some wreaths include a fifth candle, which is white and represents Christ, the light of the world. This candle is placed in the centre of the wreath and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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The order of lighting the candles
The order of lighting the Advent candles varies depending on the system being followed. Here is one such system:
Week 1: The Patriarchs and the Virtue of Hope
On the first Sunday of Advent, light one purple candle, which represents the hope that people felt before the birth of Jesus. Accompany the lighting with a reading of Isaiah 64:1–9 and hymns like 'O Come Divine Messiah' or 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'.
Week 2: The Prophets and Peace
On the second Sunday, light the first purple candle from week 1 and a second purple candle. The second purple candle represents faith and how people believed in God before Jesus’s birth. Read Isaiah 40:1–11 after lighting the second candle.
Week 3: John the Baptist and Joy
On the third Sunday, light the first two purple candles from the previous weeks and the pink "Shepherd's Candle". The pink candle represents the joy that people felt when Jesus was born. Read John 1:6–8, 8–11 as you light this candle.
Week 4: The Figure of Mary and the Virtue of Love
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, light all four candles at the same time, including the final purple candle. The fourth purple candle is also called the "Angel's Candle", reminding us of the message of the angels: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men".
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, light a fifth white "Christ candle" in the centre of the wreath. This candle represents Christ, the light of the world. Alternatively, replace the pink and purple candles with white or gold candles.
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Hymns and scriptures to accompany the lighting
The lighting of Advent candles is a Christian tradition that was historically adopted in the Middle Ages. It involves lighting candles on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, with their progressive lighting expressing the expectation and hope surrounding the coming of the Messiah.
First Week: Hope
On the first Sunday of Advent, light one purple candle to represent hope. Accompany the lighting with the scripture reading from Isaiah 64:1–9, or Isaiah 9:6-7:
> For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Hymns that can be sung during this week include "O Come Divine Messiah" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Another suggestion is "Lead Us to Your Light" by Carol Browning, with one verse sung each week and the final verse on Christmas Day.
Second Week: Faith
On the second Sunday, light the first purple candle again and light a second purple candle to represent faith. Accompany the lighting with the scripture reading from Isaiah 40:1–11.
A hymn suggestion for this week is "Prepare the Way of the Lord" by Jeffrey Lowery and David King, which has upbeat verses that are good for kids and teenagers.
Third Week: Joy
On the third Sunday, light the first two purple candles and the pink "Shepherd's Candle" to represent joy. Accompany the lighting with the scripture reading from John 1:6–8, 8–11, and Philippians 4:4-7:
> Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.
Hymns that can be sung during this week include "The Advent Candle Shines with Hope" by Jay Padgett and "Living Water Flowing" by Jennie Gordon.
Fourth Week: Love
On the fourth Sunday, light all four candles, including the final purple candle, to represent love. Accompany the lighting with the scripture reading from John 3:16:
> For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Hymns that can be sung during this week include "In This Time of Waiting" by David MacGregor and "God of Peace/Yarrabba Ssalami (Palestinian Hymn)", which can be sung in Arabic or English.
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The history of the tradition
The tradition of lighting Advent candles is a Christian custom, historically adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages, that spans the four weeks before Christmas. The word 'Advent' is derived from the Latin word 'adventus', meaning 'arrival' or 'coming'. It is used to indicate a set time during the month of December to commemorate the coming of the Messiah in Jesus Christ.
The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is traditionally a Lutheran practice, though it has spread to many other Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church. The custom originated in family settings in the 16th century but gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany in the 1920s and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. In the 1930s, the custom spread to North America and some Latin American countries, and even to Italy in recent decades.
The circular shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, represents eternity and the everlasting life found in Christ. The evergreen branches, which do not lose their leaves in winter, symbolise the everlasting life brought by Jesus Christ and are a symbol of hope and renewal. The number of candles varies, with four or five candles being the most common. The colour of the candles also varies, with purple, pink, red, blue, and white candles being used to represent the different weeks of Advent.
The lighting of the candles is an important tradition during Advent, with each candle lit on one of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The first candle, usually purple, represents hope and the anticipation of the birth of Christ. The second candle, also usually purple, represents faith and peace. The third candle, often pink or red, represents joy and the joy that people felt when Jesus was born. The fourth candle, usually purple, represents love and the Virgin Mary. If a fifth candle is used, it is usually white and represents Christ, the light of the world, and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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Frequently asked questions
The four candles on the Advent wreath represent the light of Christ entering the world. Each candle is lit on each Sunday, marking the progression of the four weeks of Advent. Three candles are purple, and one is pink. The pink candle is also called the "Shepherd's Candle" and is lit on the third Sunday, representing joy. The first purple candle, called the "Prophecy Candle", represents hope and the anticipation of Christ's coming. The second purple candle, called the "Bethlehem Candle", symbolizes peace and preparation, reflecting Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The third purple candle, called the "Angel's Candle", reminds us of the message of the angels: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men".
The circular wreath, with no beginning or end, represents eternity and the everlasting life found in Christ. It also represents God's complete and unending love for us.
There is no prescribed order, except that the pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. The other three candles are customarily purple, although white candles are also used. When lighting the fourth candle on the last Sunday, all four candles are lit at the same time.
Some traditionalists say that you should always light the Advent candles in a clockwise circle. It is also a tradition to maintain the order in which the candles are lit, i.e., on the fourth Sunday, the candle from the first week is lit first, followed by the second week, then the pink candle, and finally, the fourth candle. Hymns like 'O Come Divine Messiah' or 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' are sung, and scriptures such as Isaiah 64:1–9 and Isaiah 40:1–11 are read to accompany the lighting of the candles.
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