The Advent Wreath is the widely recognized symbol of Adevent.
The wreath is made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize eternal life. Four candles (traditionally red) stand in the circle and each represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. In the centre of the cirlce there is a fifth candle (traditionally white), the Christ Candle, which is lit on Christmas Day.
Why is the Advent Wreath so special to Christians?
The circle of the wreath reminds Christians of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.
The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Christians have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.
Candles on the Advent Wreath
Advent worship is like a journey through the Christmas story. Christians use the Advent candles to celebrate this period with one lit every Sunday of Advent so that during the last week before Christmas all four candles are lit. The last central candle (which represents Christ), is lit on Christmas Day.
What do the Advent candles stand for?
Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son, Jesus.
The four traditional advent themes for the four advent Sundays are:
- God's people - The Candle of 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.
- The Old testament prophets - The candle of 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.
- John the Baptist - The candle of Love. 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.
- Mary the mother of Jesus - The candle of Joy. Joy is a like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the joy we find in Jesus Christ.
The fifth candle represents the birth of Christ. The flame of this candle reminds us that He is the light of the world and that if we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness, but will have the true light of life.
