The Meaning of Advent

Advent Wreath

Advent is a Latin Rite liturgical season of preparation for Christmas. This period of preparation covers the span of four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as the 27th of November, making Advent have 28 days, or as late as December 3rd, giving the season only 21 days.

To mark the four Sundays of Advent, four candles in the shape of a wreath are used. Why does Advent mark four Sundays? The reason is because, four Sundays symbolize the 4000 years before the coming of the Messiah.  At the start of each week of Advent, a new candle is lit, marking the time as we come closer to the birth of our Lord Jesus, the Light of the World. Sometimes a fifth candle is placed in the center of the wreath. If the fifth candle is used, this candle is white and is lit on Christmas Day. This white candle represents the Light of the World that is now here, and is re-lit every day of the 12 Days of Christmas.

 

The Meaning of the Wreath Colors

Purple Candles: The color purple/violet is used to mark the liturgical season of Advent, signifying anticipation for the coming of Jesus as king, and purification and penance.

Rose/Pink Candle: The third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday". Its name comes from the Latin: "Gaudete in Domino semper", which roughly translates: "rejoice in the Lord always." These were the opening of the Antiphon of the Latin Mass on the third Sunday of Advent. As an option, the celebrant of the Mass could wear rose/pink-colored vestments, to symbolize joy. In the Advent wreath, the third candle is rose/pink-colored for this reason.

Evergreen Circle: The evergreen color represents Christ's salvific victory over spiritual death, giving us new life.

 

The Meaning of the Candles

(The following information is based on the "Office of Readings" that pertain to the Season of Advent.)

Purple Candle 1: The first candle represents the “Coming of Faith” to those of the Old Testament like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These people would have received faith prior to the actual written record we now call the Old Testament.

Purple Candle 2: The second candle would be the “Coming of Jesus in Bethlehem.” Again, this happens prior to any written texts which we now call the New Testament – which will not exist together as a collection of writings approved by the Church until hundreds of years later.

Rose/Pink Candle 3: The third candle – “Coming of Christ in the Sacraments.”

Purple Candle 4: The fourth candle – “The Second Coming of Christ.”

 

The Meaning of the Flame

The Flame: The flame symbolizes Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world.

 

The Meaning of the Evergreen Circle

Evergreen Circle: The circle symbolizes the eternal nature of God.

 

For more information on Advent and Christmas, dealing with both Roman and Eastern Rite traditions; examine the following: