The Holy Season of Advent

This weekend we enter the holy season of Advent, a time of joyful expectation as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ– both at Christmas. Advent invites us to slow down, to watch and to stay awake to the presence of God breaking into our lives in quiet and surprising ways.

The four main Advent candles represent hope, peace, joy, and love, which are the themes for each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The first two candles, hope and peace, are purple, the third candle, joy, is rose. The fourth candle, love, is also purple. 

• First Candle (Hope): This candle is often called the “Prophecy Candle” and symbolizes the hope for Jesus’s coming, recalling the prophecies about the Messiah.
• Second Candle (Peace): Also purple, this candle represents peace. It is sometimes called the “Bethlehem Candle” and is associated with Mary and Joseph’s journey, reminding people of the peace that Christ’s birth brings.
• Third Candle (Joy): This is the pink or rose-colored candle, known as the “Shepherd’s Candle.” It signifies the joy that the shepherds felt when they heard of Jesus’s birth and the joy we have in anticipation of Christ’s return.
• Fourth Candle (Love): This final purple candle represents love, specifically the love of God, as announced by the angels at Christ’s birth.
• Optional Fifth Candle (Christ Candle): Some traditions include a fifth, white candle in the center of the wreath, known as the “Christ Candle.” It is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and represents purity, light, and victory.