What Is the Importance of Lighting Candles at Advent?

Advent candles were added to the Advent wreath prior to taking on their current religious symbolism. Advent candles have acquired significance both in their number and color.

Description

Modern Advent wreaths consist of five candles. Three purple candles and one rose-colored candle are embedded into the branches of the wreath, and one white candle is placed in the center of the wreath.

Significance

Advent candles are lit as a measure of the length of the Advent season and are used by most Christian religions. The lighting of the candles is a sign of expectation and preparation for Christ's arrival on Christmas.

Colors

In the Catholic Church, the three purple candles have come to signify the repentance that must occur before Christ's arrival. The rose-colored candle is lit at on the third week of Advent and signifies the celebration of the mid-point of the preparation. The white candle signifies the purity of Christ and is lit on Christmas Day.

Origin

It is believed that the tradition of lighting candles in a wreath was derived from Scandinavian pagan rituals and adopted by the Germanic states during the late Middle Ages.

History

The Advent candle began as just one candle segmented into daily divisions. Over time, it morphed into one candle for each day, and eventually into the five that are commonly lit for each week of the season.

References

• "History of the Advent Wreath;" Catholic Education Resource Center
• "Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas;" Ace Collins; 2003
• "Significance of the Advent Wreath;" EWTN; 2005