THE MEANING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Most Advent wreaths use three colors purple, pink,

and white. However, some may use blue in place of the
purple.
1st CANDLE (purple) THE PROPHECY
CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE We can have hope
because God is faithful and will keep the promises made
to us. Our hope comes from God. And again, Isaiah says, The Root of Jesse will
spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in
him. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans
15:12-13)
2nd CANDLE (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF
PREPARATION God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in
Bethlehem. Preparation means to get ready. Help us to be ready to welcome
YOU, O GOD! As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A
voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight
paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all
mankind will see Gods salvation. (Luke 3:4-6)
3rd CANDLE (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY
The angels sang a message of JOY! and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the
angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will
be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he
is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Lets go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. (Luke 2:7-
15)
4th CANDLE (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE
The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to
earth to save us, because he loves us! For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but
to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
5th CANDLE (white) CHRIST CANDLE The white candle reminds us that
Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for
his death, his death was for our birth! The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the
world! (John 1:29)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the
Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know you are
a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs
you are doing if God were not with him. In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the
truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a
man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Surely he cannot enter a second
time into his mothers womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no
one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh
gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised
at my saying, You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You
hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is
with everyone born of the Spirit. (John 3:1-8)

The History of the Advent Wreath
As with many long-standing customs, the origins of the Advent wreath are
somewhat debated. Some histories of the advent wreath say that Christians simply
adapted an even earlier custom from pre-Christian Germanic tribes. Supposedly,
then, these pagan people tried to break the darkness of winter with candles and
invoke the sun god to return with the warmth and light of spring. In addition, the
evergreen wreath would remind them that there is still life and the circle of time
would again come back to spring.
According to this viewpoint, Christians later placed new and Biblical meaning to
the old customs. Now the candles pointed to Jesus, the Light of the world (John
3:17-21.) The evergreen wreath now reminded believers that our Savior God grants
new and everlasting life in Jesus. The wreath was also a symbol of victory, for a
garland wreath was often placed on victors in contests or conquests. So naturally, a
Christian can think of the crown of life that Jesus has won for us. The four candles
in an Advent wreath would then emphasize the four week period of penitence and
preparation during Advent, as we eagerly await the coming of the Light of the
world to bring new life and hope.
The advent wreath became quite popular in homes in post-Reformation Germany.
It seems pretty certain that in many German homes families had a custom of
lighting four candles during advent, candles placed in a wreath of evergreens.
When these candles were lit, Scripture and prayer was part of the custom and the
family devotion time was a time of instructing the children about Christs coming.
Later, the custom crossed over different denominational lines and other faith
traditions adapted its use. Today, you can find Advent wreathes in many
Protestant and Roman Catholic churches.

Christmas at Living Hope
Living Hope uses an Advent wreath as part of our worship
services leading up to Christmas. Join us as we Prepare our
hearts with Hope, Joy and Love as we eagerly look forward
to Christmasthe celebration of the birth our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.



The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches
representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During
the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the
Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for
the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Advent Wreath Candles
Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one
pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these
candles represent the coming of thelight of Christ into the world.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically
called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah,
who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in
anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent,
the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some
traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.
On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink
candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.
The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle,"
represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called
the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world.
The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also,
those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than
snow.
Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great
way for Christian families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, and for parents
to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas. Another Advent tradition
that can be very meaningful and fun for children is to celebrate with the Jesse
Tree.