Advent Candles
One of the Christmas traditions at our church is lighting the candles in the advent wreath. Advent means “the coming”and it represents a period of anticipation surrounding the celebration of the coming of the messiah. About 10 years ago, when I wanted to use the advent candles in a series of Christmas services, I searched high and low to figure out the “real” meaning of the advent wreath, but I discovered all kinds of explanations…in other words, there was not one accepted tradition. So I’ve taken the tradition and modified it a bit. The following is how we celebrate the coming of Christ through the advent wreath/candles in our church family:
Our wreath includes 4 white pillar candles surrounding a red candle in the center. We light the candles in a 4-week succession before Christmas Eve as we follow the story of the coming of Christ. The first candle is the HOPE candle (traditionally the ‘prophesy’ candle). It represents the accurate prophesies that were made for hundreds of years about the coming of Christ. God’s people waited in great hope and anticipation for the Messiah to come, as we continue to expectantly wait in hope for his second coming.
The second candle is the FAITH candle (traditionally the Mary candle). This speaks of the simple faith of Mary and Joseph; two young people who had intense faith to believe those incredible things that were told to them. It was their simple but powerful faith that opened the way for the coming of the Savior, and it is our simple faith that opens the way for Him to come to us today.
Third is the JOY candle (sometimes known as the Angel or Shepherd candle; at times we have used a pink candle which represents joy). The Angels shared the joy and Shepherds received it. Christmas should be a joyful period and a time for great celebration, for “unto us a child is born…a savior who is Christ the Lord…they will call Him Immanuel, which means God with us”. Usually on this week we go all out with our music and our celebration as we express the full joy that connects to the reality of God with us (it’s usually the week we hold our annual “Christmas Extravaganza” at which we share food, talent, and life with one another).
The fourth candle represents PEACE (traditionally called the Bethlehem candle). Jesus was not born in the big city or in an opulent castle. He intentionally came to the poorest of places, and was presented to the humblest of people. Just when we are about to go crazy with the hustle and bustle of the season, we stop to recognize the need for the peace and humble simplicity of Bethlehem in our lives.
Then finally, on Christmas Eve, we light the center red candle, which is the LOVE candle. It represents Jesus as the Light of the world, and as the embodiment of Love; on Christmas, Love came down and became a human who would grow up and live a life which showed us exactly what Love looked like. The ultimate expression of that Love was displayed on the cross when He died for us so we could have life and direct relationship with the One who Loved us so much. The red candle represents the shed blood of Christ which saved us from our sins; it’s the reason Jesus was born in the first place.
For us this brings great meaning to the season as it weekly reminds us why we are celebrating. Whether it is in your congregation or in your home, conisder using this tradition in your Christmas and intentionally tie meaning to the anticipation that most of us feel as we lead up to Christmas day.