How to Light the Advent Candles

The Advent season marks one of the most important celebrations in Christianity---the birth of Christ. Many churches and homes display an Advent wreath with three purple candles and one pink or rose candle placed on the wreath and one white candle in the middle. Although purple is the traditional color associated with both Advent and Lent, some Protestant churches use blue candles for Advent. Lighting the candles and reflecting on the symbolism associated with each serves as a way to honor this sacred season.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Advent wreath
• Three purple or blue candles
• One pink or rose candle
• One large white candle
• Matches or candle lighter

1. Light a purple or blue candle on the Sunday that falls four weeks before Christmas to symbolize hope or anticipation of the birth of Christ.

2. Relight the purple or blue candle from the previous week and light a second purple or blue candle on the Sunday that falls three weeks before Christmas to symbolize God's love for His followers.

3. Relight the purple or blue candles from the previous week and light the pink or rose candle on the Sunday that falls two weeks before Christmas to symbolize joy associated with Jesus' birth.

4. Relight the purple or blue candles and pink or rose candle from the previous week and light the third purple or blue candle on the Sunday before Christmas to symbolize peace.

5. Relight all four candles from the previous week and light the white candle, or Christ Candle, in the center of the Advent display on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Tips & Warnings

• For non-Catholic denominations, the pink or rose candle symbolizing joy can be lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent instead of the third to celebrate the climax of the Advent season. A purple or blue candle can be lit on the third Sunday of Advent. The white candle can be lit along with the other four candles on the fourth Sunday of Advent if services are not held on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
• Use caution when lighting candles and do not let children near them without adult supervision.

References

• CRI/Voice Institute: Advent
• Brigham Young University: The Advent Season

Resources

• American Catholic: Advent Wreath