Michael Brooks
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, reflection, and anticipation for Christians as they await the birth of Jesus Christ and his Second Coming. The four themes of Advent in the Catholic Church are hope, peace, joy, and love, each represented by a candle lit on the four Sundays of Advent. These themes guide Christians through a meaningful journey of introspection, prayer, and meditation, helping them align their hearts with the message of Christ's birth and his presence in their lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Sunday of Advent | Hope |
| Second Sunday of Advent | Faith, peace |
| Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) | Joy |
| Fourth Sunday of Advent | Love |
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What You'll Learn
Advent wreaths and candles
The first candle, known as the Prophet's Candle, symbolises hope and expectation of our Lord's coming. It is lit during the first week of Advent, reminding us of the Old Testament prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus. The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, symbolises faith and our reflection on Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. It is lit during the second week, encouraging us to focus on becoming better people in preparation for Jesus' coming.
The third candle, the Shepherd's Candle, symbolises joy and is lit on the third Sunday, known as Gaudete Sunday. This candle represents the joy of the shepherds at the birth of Jesus and the excitement and gratitude for the coming of the Saviour. Finally, the fourth candle, the Angel's Candle, symbolises peace and the tranquility and wholeness that Jesus brings to the world. It is lit during the fourth week, emphasising the peace that our Divine Saviour brings as we prepare for Christmas.
The colours of the candles also hold significance. Typically, three candles are purple or violet, symbolising prayer, penance, and preparation. The fourth candle is pink or rose, symbolising rejoicing and the joy of the world for the arrival of the Saviour. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, a fifth white candle, known as the "Christ candle", may be lit to symbolise that Jesus is with us.
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The coming of Christ
The Catholic season of Advent is a time of preparation and spiritual renewal as followers await the coming of Christ. It is a period of anticipation and expectation, rooted in the promises of God. The four themes of Advent—hope, peace, joy, and love—guide reflection, prayer, and action during this time.
The first theme of Advent is hope, which is symbolized by the Prophet's Candle. This theme reflects on the hope of Christ's coming, both past and future, and God's promises of redemption. It serves as a reminder that God is with us and has promised a future filled with his presence and peace. The lighting of the first Advent candle of hope represents the light that Jesus brings to a dark world.
During the second week of Advent, the focus shifts to peace. The Bethlehem Candle, lit during this week, reminds us of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus would be born. The theme of peace centres on the tranquility and wholeness that Jesus brings to the world, reconciling humanity with God and with one another. It encourages us to let go of our anxieties and trust in God's love and guidance.
The third week of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word "rejoice." The Shepherd's Candle, symbolizing joy, is lit during this week. Joy reflects the excitement and gratitude for the coming of Jesus, who brings salvation to the world. It is a profound gladness rooted in God's love and promises, as expressed in the angel's announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
The final week of Advent emphasizes love, reminding us of God's endless love for humanity, made apparent in the birth of his Son. The Angel's Candle, symbolizing peace, is lit during this week. As we reflect on the good news of God's love, we prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas and the celebration of Christ's birth.
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Hope, peace, joy, and love
Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation, a season rich in symbolism and tradition, offering a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal as we await Christ's birth and his Second Coming. The four themes of Advent in the Catholic Church are hope, peace, joy, and love.
Hope
The first week of Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year, intensifying our hope in the coming of a Saviour who will free us from the chains of sin and become our Way and our Light. Biblically, hope is a steadfast trust in God's faithfulness. Pope Benedict XVI said, "It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."
Peace
The second week of Advent centres on the tranquility and wholeness that Jesus brings to the world, reminding us that Christ's coming is meant to reconcile humanity with God and with one another. In Scripture, peace is more than just the absence of conflict—it's a deep, lasting harmony rooted in God's presence. Isaiah 9:6 foretells Jesus as the "Prince of Peace", whose kingdom will bring justice and peace to all who follow him.
Joy
The third week of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) is a departure from the usual purple vestments, with priests wearing rose-coloured ones, symbolising the world's joy for the long-expected Saviour's birth. Joy is something much more spiritual and intentional than happiness. It is found deep within, and we must be intentional in discovering the gift of joy in ordinary things. When we light the Advent candle for joy, we remind ourselves of the spiritual truth of this season: "Unto us a child is born."
Love
The fourth week of Advent reminds us that God became Man because of His love for us. We can respond to this love by preparing a hospitable, loving place for Him in our souls. God's infinite and everlasting love for us is represented by the circular shape and evergreen colour of the Advent wreath.
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Scripture and readings
Isaiah, a messianic prophet, foretold Jesus's birth centuries before it took place. Isaiah 7:14 states: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel." This prophecy is fulfilled in the Gospels, where we see Mary, the mother of Jesus, being found "with child from the Holy Spirit" before she and Joseph were married.
Advent is a time to devote oneself to reading biblical passages related to the Nativity story and the prophecies surrounding the Messiah and his Second Coming. The daily Mass readings can be accessed online at USCCB.org. The liturgical readings for the Sundays of Advent include:
- First Sunday of Advent: Readings that look forward to the "End Times" and the coming of the "Day of the Lord" or the "Messianic Age". The Gospel is an excerpt from the Apocalyptic Discourse.
- Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday): The "Entrance Antiphon" of this Sunday's Mass is taken from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near."
- Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Gospels tell of the events that preceded and prepared for the birth of Jesus, including the dreams of Joseph, the Annunciation, and the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
Advent calendars are also used during this season, often including daily activities or reflections to help engage with the themes of Advent.
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Penance, preparation, and sacrifice
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, which symbolizes penance, preparation, and sacrifice. The first week of Advent involves remembering the Old Testament prophets who foretold of Jesus' coming with hope and anticipation. The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time.
During the second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and focus on becoming better people in preparation for Jesus' coming. We remember the journey Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This is a time of introspection and preparation, enabling us to enter the joyous celebration of Christmas with renewed hearts and minds. We reflect on the ways Jesus calls us to be peacemakers in our lives, showing kindness, understanding, and forgiveness to others.
The third week of Advent is filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day. This Sunday is often called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin "rejoice". During this week, we reflect on the joy the shepherds felt at the birth of Jesus. The pink candle symbolizes rejoicing.
In the final week of Advent, we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made apparent in the birth of his Son. We reflect on the good news of God's love brought to us from the angel Gabriel. This is the last week to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas.
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Frequently asked questions
The four themes of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Advent theme of hope symbolises the long-expected saviour and God's promise of redemption. It is rooted in the belief that God has promised a future filled with his presence.
The Advent theme of peace symbolises the tranquility and wholeness that Jesus brings to the world. It is about letting go of anxiety and trusting in God's love and guidance.
The Advent theme of joy symbolises the excitement and gratitude for the coming of Jesus, who brings salvation to the world. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, which means "rejoice" in Latin.
The Advent theme of love symbolises God's endless love for humanity, as demonstrated by sending his Son, and encourages reflection on how to show that love to others.
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