As the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, we remember the expectancy of the coming Messiah. When we share in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, believers renew their desire for his second coming.
Beginning December 1st, we will walk through the story of Jesus’ birth together each Sunday, lighting a new Advent candle during worship. A little history and more about the Advent wreath and candles can be found below:
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.
Eventually, the Advent wreath was 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 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. Sometimes 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.
1. Lighting of the Hope/Prophet’s Candle
The lighting of the Hope-Prophets candle reminds us of the promise given through the Prophets that a Messiah would come, a promise given many years before that blessed event. Just as the prophets and people waited for the fulfillment of the promise, we also wait for the celebration of Christ’s birth, and His Glorious Return.
Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, The Prophet Isaiah wrote:
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
2. Lighting of the Faith/Bethlehem Candle
The lighting of the Faith-Bethlehem Candle reminds us of God’s preparation for the coming of the Christ-Child, to be born in Bethlehem of Judah. God’s plan was a long time in the works. He was busy preparing the world for the coming of the Savior who would bring salvation in to the world by paying for our sins.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:1-6
3. Lighting of the Joy/Shepherd’s Candle
The lighting of the Joy-Shepherd’s candle reminds us that the Shepherds were the first to receive the glorious news of the birth of Christ. Jus as they received this news, when they had witnessed it for themselves, they too became messengers for Christ.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
4. Lighting of the Peace/Angel’s Candle
The fourth candle reminds us of the angels and the part God gave them in preparing the people for the coming of the Christ-Child.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
5. Lighting of the Christ Candle
The lighting of the Christ candle on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminds us of many things, including:
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The birth of Jesus – The Christ candle represents the light that Jesus brought into the world when he was born.
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The fulfillment of a promise – The full blaze of the Christ candle represents the fulfillment of the promise.
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The transition from prophecy to fulfillment – The Advent candles remain on Christmas Eve, focusing on the moment of transition from prophecy to fulfillment.
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The light of God – The Christ candle represents the light of God, which shines in the darkness and has not been overcome by it.
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The spotless lamb of God – The white color of the Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins.
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:15-20