What Are The 4 Symbols Of The Advent Wreath?
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that dates back to the 19th century in Germany. The wreath is made of evergreen branches into a circle shape, with four candles around the wreath. The circular shape represents God’s infinite love, while the evergreen branches symbolize hope amidst the long, dark winter. The four candles mark the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Advent wreath serves as a visual reminder of the meaning behind the season. As each candle is lit, we are prompted to reflect on the coming of Jesus into the world. The growing light reminds us that we are getting closer to celebrating Christ’s birth at Christmas. The circular shape with no beginning and end represents eternity and the eternal love of God. Having an Advent wreath helps families and churches focus their thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas amidst the hustle and bustle of the season.
The Advent Wreath Candles
The Advent wreath contains four candles that are lit sequentially on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each candle has symbolic meaning related to the coming of Jesus Christ. The four candles are:
The First Candle – The Prophecy Candle
The first purple candle is called the Prophecy Candle or the Candle of Hope. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. Old Testament prophecies are read on the first Sunday in Advent.
The Second Candle – The Bethlehem Candle
The second purple candle represents faith and is called the Bethlehem Candle. It signifies the faith of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem.
The Third Candle – The Shepherd’s Candle
The third pink candle is the Shepherd’s Candle or the Candle of Joy. It marks the joy felt by the shepherds when the angel appeared announcing Christ’s birth.
The Fourth Candle – The Angel’s Candle
The final purple candle is the Angel’s Candle. It represents the message of the angels – “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
The First Candle – The Prophecy Candle
The first candle on the Advent wreath is often referred to as the Prophecy Candle. This candle is traditionally purple, symbolizing penance. The prophetic texts, particularly from Isaiah, are an essential part of the Advent season, looking forward with hope to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.
Isaiah prophesied about the coming of Christ over 700 years before his birth, speaking of him as a wonderful counselor, the Prince of Peace, the light of the world, and Emmanuel, God with us. The first candle reminds us to prepare our hearts and lives for Christ’s coming, much as the prophets prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah. As we light the first candle, we remember that Jesus fulfilled these ancient prophecies when he was born.
The Second Candle – The Bethlehem Candle
The second candle on the Advent wreath is purple and is often called the “Bethlehem Candle.” The color purple symbolizes royalty and anticipation as we prepare for the coming of the King of Kings. This candle represents the expectant waiting as Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.
The Bethlehem Candle reminds us of God’s faithfulness in sending the Messiah, as promised and prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Even though Mary and Joseph faced uncertainty and difficulty on their journey, God was with them as they traveled. This candle calls us to put our faith and hope in God’s promises.
As we light the Bethlehem Candle, we remember that Christ left the riches of Heaven to be born into poverty on Earth. His birth in a lowly manger foreshadowed the servant life He would lead. Jesus came not as a worldly King, but as a humble Savior willing to suffer and die for our sins. Lighting this candle reminds us to focus less on material possessions and more on spiritual preparation to receive Christ into our hearts.
The Third Candle – The Shepherd’s Candle
The third Sunday of Advent focuses on joy and is symbolized by the pink (or rose-colored) candle. This candle is often called the “Shepherd’s Candle”, honoring the joy of the shepherds who visited the infant Jesus.
According to the Bible, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel appeared in the fields to shepherds watching their flocks at night. The angel proclaimed the good news of Christ’s birth, telling the shepherds they would find the baby lying in a manger. The shepherds hurried to see the newborn king, and afterward spread the joyous news.
The third candle reminds us to rejoice in Jesus’ coming, just as the shepherds glorified and praised God for what they had seen and heard. As Christmas draws closer, we anticipate Christ’s arrival with an attitude of celebration and cheer.
The Fourth Candle – The Angel’s Candle
The fourth Advent candle is pink and is known as the Angel’s Candle. This candle reminds us of the vital role angels played in the Christmas story.
In the book of Luke, an angel appears to Mary to tell her that she will give birth to the Son of God. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” This angelic visit foretold the coming of the Savior.
An angel also appears to Joseph in a dream to tell him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The angel said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
On the night Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem. The angel announced the good news of the Savior’s birth saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Then a great company of the heavenly host appeared praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
So the fourth Advent candle reminds us of these angelic proclamations of the Savior’s coming and the joyous news they brought.
The Center Candle – The Christ Candle
The center candle on the Advent wreath is white and is referred to as the Christ Candle. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The white color of the Christ Candle symbolizes purity, hope, and peace. Lighting the white candle on Christmas Eve represents the light of Christ coming into the world. It also reminds us that Christ is the light to guide our way in this life and the next. The Christ Candle shines bright on Christmas Eve to help us rejoice and give thanks for the birth of our Savior.
Lighting the Candles
Each Sunday during Advent, another candle is lit with a special prayer or reading to mark the week. Typically, there is a ceremony lighting the wreath at home or before worship services in churches.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit to represent hope. A short prayer may be said such as “As we light this first candle, we pray for hope…”
On the second Sunday, the second purple candle representing faith is lit, often accompanied by a prayer for faith. The first candle is also relit.
On the third Sunday, the pink candle representing joy is lit with a prayer for joy. The two previous candles are relit as well.
On the fourth Sunday, the final purple candle representing peace is lit with a prayer for peace. All the previous candles are relit again.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the central white Christ candle is lit to represent Jesus Christ. All the other candles are relit at this time with prayers and rejoicing.
The progressive lighting of candles each week, the prayers, and the growing light symbolize our hope, faith, joy and peace growing brighter as we draw closer to the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Making an Advent Wreath
Making your own Advent wreath is easy and enjoyable for the whole family. Here are the materials you’ll need:
- Wreath base – You can use a Styrofoam base, wire base, or make your own base out of twigs or evergreen branches.
- 4 candles – These are traditionally 3 purple and 1 pink, but you can use any colors.
- Candle holders – Small glass vases work well to hold the candles. You’ll need 4 holders.
- Greenery – Artificial or real pine, holly branches, etc. to decorate the wreath.
- Ribbons, ornaments, pinecones, etc. to decorate (optional).
Arrange the candle holders evenly spaced around the wreath base. Press greenery into the base around the candle holders to cover it. Then add any extra decorations as desired. Place the appropriate candles into each holder and your homemade Advent wreath is complete!
Advent Wreath Traditions
The Advent wreath is a popular tradition celebrated in many cultures and families. Here are some of the common Advent wreath traditions:
In many Catholic and Protestant churches, the lighting of the Advent wreath candles often occurs at church services. Families may also light the candles at home before evening meals or devotions. A common prayer or Bible reading accompanies the lighting of each candle over the four weeks.
In Scandinavia, the Advent wreath features white candles set among evergreen branches. On the first Advent Sunday, the first candle is lit to welcome the anticipated arrival of Jesus Christ. Additional candles are lit on each successive Sunday until all four glow by Christmas Eve.
German Advent wreaths frequently contain four red candles plus a larger white “Christ candle” in the center. Families often sing Christmas carols as they light the candles before their evening meal on each Advent Sunday.
Besides the traditional wreaths, many families also make Advent calendars for counting down the days until Christmas. Children may open one door to reveal a small gift or chocolate for each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve.
No matter the specific cultural traditions, the weeks before Christmas are often spent in joyful anticipation of the Nativity of Jesus. Families focus on spiritual preparation through prayer, devotions, acts of service and celebrating customs that honor the season.
