The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. A Lutheran minister working at a mission for children created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles inside the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays and the four white candles were lit on Sundays.
There is also tradition that the early Scandinavian Christians, living in an area of the world where darkness came early during the winter months leading up to the winter solstice, place candles in their windows on a bed of evergreen boughs to signify their belief in the return of the sun and light to their world. Throughout the lead-in to the solstice, more candles would be added to increase the light.
To this day, the Advent wreath is created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter and death. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath. Additional decorations, like holly and berries, are sometimes added. Their red color points ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Pinecones can symbolize the new life that Jesus brings through His resurrection. Families begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they light another candle each subsequent Sunday. The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5).
The most common Advent candle tradition, however, involves four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace. Often, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. In some Christian traditions all the candles are red; in other traditions, all four candles are blue or white. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
The Advent Candle Colors
In our Catholic tradition, the Advent Candles are most typically Purple (or violet), rose and white, each having a its own symbolic purpose.
Purple (or violet) has traditionally been the primary color of Advent. This hue symbolizes 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. Purple/violet is also the liturgical color for the season of Lent, which similarly involves a time of reflection, repentance, self-denial, and spiritual readiness. The décor of Catholic churches and the vestments of priests and deacons will all be set in purple/violet.
Purple is also the color of royalty and the sovereignty of Christ, who is known as the "King of Kings." So, purple in this application demonstrates the anticipation of and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent.
Rose (often referred to as pink) is one of the colors of Advent used during the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete (Joyful) Sunday in the Catholic Church. Rose represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season of Advent away from repentance and toward celebration. The third Advent candle color on the wreath is pink. It is named the shepherd candle or candle of joy.
White is the Advent candle color representing purity, light, regeneration, and godliness. White is also a symbol of victory.
Jesus Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. He is the light come into a dark and dying world. He is often depicted in the Bible wearing radiant, intensely white robes, like snow or pure wool, and shining with the brightest of light. Also, those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow. The Christ candle is the last or fifth Advent candle, positioned in the center of the wreath. This Advent candle's color is white.
Spiritually preparing one's heart by focusing on the colors of Advent in the weeks leading up to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ the center of Christmas, and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas.
The second candle represents faith and is called "Bethlehem’s Candle." Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (City of Bread), which is also the birthplace of King David. The second candle is also purple to symbolism preparation for the coming king.