When I was a child, the night before the Advent season began was filled with anticipation. I tried to lay still, but my feet moved restlessly under my plush pink comforter. I knew I needed to close my eyes, but they popped back open every few minutes as I thought of the surprises the morning would bring. I knew that when I stumbled down the stairs as sunlight peeked through the curtains, a calendar with hand-written notes and small surprises tucked inside pockets would hang on the wall of the dining room. And a candle wreath with five fresh candles would have found its place on the dinner table. These small changes were a constant reminder that the next four weeks weren’t filled with ordinary days—they were special. The calendar and the wreath signified something to me: that Jesus’s arrival was meaningful for our family and worth celebrating in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle. Each year, my parents walked my siblings and I through the season of Advent, and my fondness for the tradition and the truths it represents grew. Now I am the mother setting out the candle wreath and hanging the Advent calendar on Advent eve. And I hope my own children lay with restless legs and excited minds the night before Advent begins. 

What about you? Maybe, like me, you grew up lighting Advent candles week after week. Or maybe you are learning about the Advent candle lighting tradition for the very first time this year. Whether you own an heirloom Advent wreath or have your first Advent candles sitting in your Amazon cart, lighting Advent candles can be a meaningful practice for you this year. In preparation for Advent, let’s explore the history and meaning of the Advent candles together. 

Advent Candles Explained

The first question many people ask about Advent candles is: How should I use them to observe Advent? Though there is some variation in how Advent candles are used across traditions and denominations, let’s explore some simple ways you might use them this Advent season.

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. One Advent candle is lit on each Sunday of Advent. On the first Sunday, the first candle—typically purple in color—is lit. When it’s lit, you can read Scripture, pray,  pause to meditate on the arrival of Christ, or even take time to consider the darkness of the world as you wait for Christ’s Second Coming. The lone candle flickering is a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world and He is your Light. 

On the second Sunday of Advent, the first and second candles—both typically purple—are lit. Again, you may choose to read Scripture, pray, or contemplate Christ’s first and Second Coming. But now, two candles illuminate the Advent wreath. The light shines brighter than the week before. 

On the third Sunday of Advent, you’ll light the first, second, and third candles. The third candle is typically pink (more on the meaning behind this below!). The light grows again. 

On the fourth Sunday, all four candles—three purple and one pink—are lit. The light that emanates from the wreath is now four times as bright. The increasing glow reminds you that the celebration of Jesus’s birth is near. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth candle, the Christ candle, in the center. This candle is often lit on Christmas Eve and signifies the arrival of Jesus. 

What Do Advent Candles Mean?

Advent wreaths and candles hold meaning beyond their illumination of darkness. The shape, materials,  and color of the candles all have meaning.  Traditional Advent wreaths consist of a circular candle holder wrapped in an evergreen bough. The circular wreath represents eternity—God is eternal and His plan to save His people through Jesus has been in motion since the beginning of time.  

The evergreen bough wrapped around the wreath symbolizes life. Unlike other trees, the needles of evergreen trees don’t fade in the dark and dreary days of winter. The tree shows signs of vibrant  life even when many other plants appear dead or dormant. Similarly, Jesus came into the world to offer eternal life in Him to those who are dead in their sins. Those in Christ are vibrantly alive in a world that appears dark.

Even the candle colors hold great significance. Purple candles signify royalty—each candle a reminder that the birth you’ll soon be celebrating is the birth of the King of kings. The pink candle represents joy. We have joy in remembering that Jesus came to reveal God to us.  And we have joy in knowing that Jesus’s Second Coming is as sure as His first. He will come again one day to make all things new. Finally, the white candle in the center is the Christ candle, which is usually lit on Christmas Eve. This candle represents the arrival of Christ and the brightness of His glory shining against the darkness of this world.

Hope, Peace, Joy, And Love

Many churches and individuals recognize themes for each week of Advent. These themes are hope, peace, joy, and love. You can use these themes to inform the Scriptures you read, prayers you pray, and how you meditate on Christ’s first and Second Coming throughout the Advent season.

Because the Advent season celebrates the first coming of Christ while longing for His Second Coming, the themes of Advent are reminders of the ways in which God has given His people hope, peace, joy and love—and they are promises of the future hope, peace, joy, and love that we will have with Christ in eternity. As you incorporate these themes into your observation of Advent, consider passages and prayers that reflect the ways in which Christ has brought hope, peace, joy, and love to you. 

How to Celebrate Advent Using Candles

Though learning about the Advent candle-lighting tradition and its meaning can feel complex, celebrating Advent with candles doesn’t have to be extravagant or complicated. It can be incredibly simple. It starts by setting the candles out in a visible place. Then, choose a time when you will light the candles each week. You likely don’t need more than five or ten minutes each week. Your candle-lighting time might look like this:

• Gathering your household around the Advent wreath

• Saying, “Today, we light the hope (or peace, joy, love, Christ) candle.”

• Lighting the candle

• Reading a passage from Scripture

• Praying aloud or silently

Lighting Advent candles is not about completing all the right steps, it’s about looking to the Savior. The most important part of lighting Advent candles is remembering Jesus’s first coming and reminding yourself that He is coming again.

Jesus came. He didn’t leave us alone in this world to struggle under the weight of sin and suffering. He entered the world to walk through sin and suffering with us.

And Jesus is coming again. He is coming back to lead us into eternity where sin and suffering will be no more. The flame atop each Advent candle illuminates our darkest days and promises us a future lived fully in the light of Christ. May you experience the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ through lighting Advent candles this year. And may you see Christ through eyes of wonder just as I saw the Advent season as a child.  

Additional Resources for Celebrating Advent:

Awakening Wonder | Advent Bible Study		The Advent Adventure Ornaments		Advent Candle Mug		Advent Wall Calendar
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