Candle Lighting Traditions in Winter

Candles with winter decoration

For centuries, winter celebrations have incorporated candles that bring light, warmth and a reminder that longer periods of sunshine will come again in the spring. Some traditions add additional significance to the candles.

Christian Traditions

For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, Christians light Advent candles. "Advent" means "coming"; the light represents Christ who entered the world to "scatter the darkness of evil," according to the website Catholic Education. The candles are often set in a wreath.

Jewish Traditions

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the festival of light, commemorates the Maccabees' victory over Syria and the recapture of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. At the rededication of the Temple, there was only one day's worth of sacred oil, yet it lasted for eight days. The eight candles on the Jewish menorah represent the eight days of the miracle. Jews light one candle the first night, adding another candle each night.

Kwanzaa Traditions

Kwanzaa, a seven-day holiday that starts on December 26, was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 as a celebration of African American culture. Kwanzaa uses seven candles to represent the Seven Principles, which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

References

• Catholic Education: The Liturgical Season of Advent
• My Jewish Learning: Hanukkah History
• Kwanzaa: The Symbols of Kwanzaa