Advent Wreath

Advent Candles

The Advent Wreath is a Christian tradition that goes back to 16^th Century Germany; it was popularized by Johann Hinrich Wicherna, a Lutheran Pastor in 1839. In most traditions, the wreath comprises five candles; one of the outer candles is lit each Advent Sunday; the inner fifth candle is lit on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. Each candle represents an aspect of liturgical preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most Advent wreaths use three colors of candles – purple, pink, and white; however, some use blue in place of the purple.

1st CANDLE – (purple) “The Candle of Hope” or “The Prophecy Candle”. We have hope because God is faithful and always keeps His promises. Our hope comes from God. Romans 15:12-13 (NIV) “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.’ 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.”

2nd CANDLE – (purple) “The Candle of Peace” or “The Bethlehem Candle”. God kept His promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem and would be “Prince of Peace” as foretold by Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus gave His Peace to us as recorded in John 14:27 (NIV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

3rd CANDLE – (pink) “The Candle of Joy” or “The Shepherds’ Candle”. Luke 2:7-15 (NIV) “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’”

4th CANDLE – (purple) “The Candle of Love” or “The Angel Candle”. The angels announced the good news of a Savior. God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! John 3:16-17 (NIV) “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.”

5th CANDLE – (white) “The 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! John 1:29 (NIV) “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 3:1-8 (NIV) “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are 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.’”