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Advent

The document discusses the symbolism and traditions associated with the Advent wreath. It explains that the wreath represents the contrast between darkness and light as Jesus is referred to as the light of the world. Each candle that is lit during Advent dispels more of the darkness as Jesus' coming draws nearer. The circular shape symbolizes God's eternal and unending love. The four candles traditionally used represent the 4,000 years of waiting from Adam to Jesus' birth foretold in the Old Testament. The colors and meanings of each week in Advent are also described.

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Rodrigo Labitoria
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219 views3 pages

Advent

The document discusses the symbolism and traditions associated with the Advent wreath. It explains that the wreath represents the contrast between darkness and light as Jesus is referred to as the light of the world. Each candle that is lit during Advent dispels more of the darkness as Jesus' coming draws nearer. The circular shape symbolizes God's eternal and unending love. The four candles traditionally used represent the 4,000 years of waiting from Adam to Jesus' birth foretold in the Old Testament. The colors and meanings of each week in Advent are also described.

Uploaded by

Rodrigo Labitoria
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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DARKNESS AND LIGHT

The Advent candles readily demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and
light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the “Light of the World” contrasted with the
darkness of sin. Human history spanned long ages before our prophesied Savior would
finally make his appearance, and God’s promise to make all things new through him.

As his Advent, or “coming,” draws nearer another candle is lit, with each candle
dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, the Advent wreath helps us to spiritually
contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God
Incarnate who comes to redeem the human race.

SHAPE, NUMBER, AND COLOR

SHAPE: The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God’s
complete and unending love for us—a love that sent his Son into the world to redeem
us from the curse of sin. It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through
faith in Jesus Christ.
NUMBER: The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one at a
time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. Each candle represents 1,000
years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity
waited for the world’s Savior—from Adam and Eve to Jesus, whose birth was foretold in
the Old Testament.

Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth white “Christ” candle, symbolizing
purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Many circular wreaths can
incorporate a white candle by adding a pillar candle to the wreath center.

COLOR: Violet is a liturgical color that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and
sacrifice and is used during Advent and Lent. Advent, also called “little Lent,” is the
season where we spiritually wait in our “darkness” with hopeful expectation for our
promised redemption, just as the whole world did before Christ’s birth, and just as the
whole world does now as we eagerly await his promised return.

THE FOUR WEEKS OF ADVENT


During the first two weeks of Advent we light the first two purple candles. The Third
Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. On this day we celebrate that
our waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over. Rose is a liturgical
color that is used to signify joy, so we light the single pink candle on the third Sunday of
Advent.
Then on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle is lit to mark the final week
of prayer and penance as we wait expectantly for the soon-coming birth of the King of
Kings.

Traditionally, each of the four Advent candles have a deeper meaning which is depicted
in the lovely Four Weeks of Advent Pewter Wreath:

 The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle” reminding
us that Jesus is coming.

 The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Faith with the “Bethlehem Candle”
reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

 The 3rd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle”
reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.

 The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with the “Angel’s Candle” reminding
us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

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