The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Advent, which begins the Church’s liturgical year encompasses the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas. It is a season of expectation and hope symbolized by an Advent Wreath with a candle lit on each of these four Sundays. The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5). Advent candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath symbolizing everlasting life. The circled wreath reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. BETTY AMUKO tasks kids to present the purpose and meaning behind each advent candle.
“Advent (from a Latin word: adventus, “coming”) is a period of joyful expectancy. Each of the four candles stand for each Sunday in Advent representing the four virtues Christ brings us during the season • On the first Sunday of Advent, a purple candle is used symbolising expectancy and hope. • The second Sunday also uses a purple candle, which symbolises love. • On the third Sunday a pink candle is lit symbolising joy. • On the last Sunday, the last purple candle is lit representing peace and purity. A simple prayer is said while lighting the candles; One candle burning bright, chasing darkness away from light. One candle glowing bright, the blessings of God giving new sight. All the candles are usually placed in the Advent wreath beside the altar.”
1.The first Candle is colour purple, it is used in the first Sunday of Advent and it is signifies Hope: Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
2. The second Candle is purple and it is used in the second Sunday of Advent and it signifies Peace: Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus Christ.
3. The third Candle is colour rose and it is used in third Sunday of Advent and it signifies Joy also known as Rejoice Sunday: Joy is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate joy we find in Christ.
4. The fourth Candle is colour purple and it signifies Love. It is used in the fourth Sunday of Advent: Love is like a candle shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the love we have in Christ.
“Purple or Blue
Purple (or violet) has traditionally been the primary colour of Advent. This hue symbolizes repentance and fasting. The spiritual discipline of denying oneself food or some other pleasure is one of the ways Christians show their devotion to God and prepare their hearts for his arrival. Purple-violet is also the liturgical colour for the season of Lent, which similarly involves a time of reflection, repentance, self-denial, and spiritual readiness. Purple is also the colour of royalty and the sovereignty of Christ, who is known as the “King of Kings.” So, purple in this application demonstrates the anticipation of and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent.
Pink or Rose
Pink(or Rose) is one of the colours of Advent used during the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. Similarly, rose-pink is used during Lent, on Laetare Sunday, which is also called Mothering Sunday and Refreshment Sunday. Pink or Rose represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season of Advent away from repentance and toward celebration.
White Colour
White is the Advent candle colour representing purity, light, regeneration, and godliness. White is also a symbol of victory. Jesus Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Saviour. He is the light come into a dark and dying world. He is often depicted in the Bible wearing radiant, intensely white robes, like snow or pure wool, and shining with the brightest of light.”
Each candle has a specific meaning explaining the birth of Christ.
The Prophecy Candle
The first purple, or violet candle, is the Prophecy Candle symbolizes hope and God’s forgiveness toward man. It also can symbolize the expectation of the coming of the Messiah.
The Bethlehem Candle
The second purple or violet candle symbolizes faith and reminds Catholics about the experience of Joseph and Mary in the city of Bethlehem.
The Shepherd’s Candle
The third candle which is pink or rose, represents Gaudette Sunday and the joy that the birth of Christ brought to the world. Traditionally, on Gaudette Sunday one takes a break from Advent fasting to experience the joy of the day. The Shepherd’s candle is sometimes white instead of rose or pink.
The Angel’s Candle
The last purple candle is the Angel’s Candle and represents the peace and justice that the Angels and Christ brings to the world. It also can represent purity. The Christ Candle If a white candle in the middle of the wreath is included, this candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and represents Christ and purity. The Christ Candle is lit every night until the Feast of the Epiphany, which is twelve days from Christmas.
The Advert season is a time of preparation and expectation for our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. The first candle which is purple symbolises ‘Hope’. It is also called the “Prophecy candle”. The second candle also purple symbolises ‘Faith”. It is also called the “ Bethlehem candle” The third candle is pink and symbolises ‘ Joy’. It is called “shepherd candle”. The third Sunday Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is to remind us of the Joy of the birth of Jesus. The fourth and final purple candle is lit on the fourth week of Advent and it symbolises Peace. It is also called the “Angels candle”. The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. It is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The colour white symbolizes purity.
“The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical colour for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent. On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Saviour. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” Though the Mercy Home Advent wreath does not include a white candle, this is a tradition that has become popular in modern day adaptations. The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. This candle is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The colour white is for purity -because Christ is our sinless, pure Saviour. Celebrating Advent is an excellent way to prepare your mind and heart for Christmas
Advent is the preparation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas as a Child and also reminds me of His second coming. First candle is purple and purple stand for royalty. That candle means hope. Second candle which is lit on second Sunday of Advent is purple and it stands for Faith. Third candle is pink and means joy; it’s lit on third Sunday of Advent. That Sunday is called Rejoice and Joyful Sunday which Latin is called Gaudate Sunday. Fourth Sunday, the purple candle is lit and it stands for peace which means Jesus comes to bring us Peace On Christmas day we light white candle on the Eve of Christmas. White signifies purity.
The four Sundays of advent symbolise the four candles of advent. We have to two colours of advent that is purple and pink: 1.The first candle of advent (colour purple) symbolizes EXPECTATION: It’s when we look forward for the coming of our lord Jesus Christ and always to be prepared for His coming. 2.The Second candle of advent symbolizes HOPE (colour purple) for the second Sunday; it’s when we should have hope in our in our Lord Jesus Christ for He says He will free us form all evil eyes. So we should always have hope in God. 3.The third colour of advent symbolizes JOY (colour pink): It’s when we should be happy to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4.The fourth candle symbolizes PURITY (colour purple): It’s when we cleanse ourselves from all sins so that we would be able to welcome our lord Jesus Christ.
