What Is The Order Of Advent Candles? Meanings and Traditions - 365Candle (2023)

What is the order of advent candles? The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word “adventus”, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia.

Advent is a season full of hope and expectancy and rich customs. The word “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming,” and it reminds us to take a moment each day in December to remember why Jesus came. Advent calendars, wreaths, and candles are traditional means of remembering Jesus’ birth. However, customs differ by location. Every day of December, any Advent ritual should include families in an enjoyable activity that helps them remember why we celebrate Christmas. As we wait for Christmas, the advent wreath and candles give great symbolism for each week of the season.

Don’t worry if you’re unsure about the meaning and the order of advent candles; we’ll explain everything in the article below.

1. The History of Advent

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “adventus”, which is a translation of the Greek word parousia, which means “arrival.” Today, most people associate Advent with the celebration of Christ’s birth. Advent, on the other hand, originated as a season of fasting and prayer for new Christians in the 4th and 5th centuries. The Council of Saragossa, a gathering of church leaders in the 300s A.D., was the first to mention Advent. It eventually grew into a season that included the entire month of December. Advent is a four-week period building up to Christmas. The waiting for Christ’s birth, as well as his eventual return, is symbolized by the Advent season.

(Video) The Meaning of Advent Candles

2. What Is the Advent Wreath?

In 1839, the advent wreath made its debut in Germany. A Lutheran preacher working at a children’s mission made a wreath out of a cartwheel. Inside the ring, he lit twenty little red candles and four huge white candles. On weekdays, the red candles were lit, while on Sundays, the four white candles were lit.

The Advent wreath was eventually made of evergreens, which symbolized perpetual life in the midst of cold and death since the evergreen is always green. The circle represents God’s never-ending love and the eternal life that He provides.

The Advent wreath, with a candle lighted each of the four Sundays leading up to and on Christmas Day, is a symbol of the season. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind,” the flickering candle flames remind us of who Jesus is: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.” The Light glows in the dark, and the darkness hasn’t been able to overcome it.” (See John 1:4-5.) Advent candles are frequently placed on a wreath of evergreens. Below, we’ll go into the reason and symbolism of each advent candle in further depth. Occasionally, additional decorations like holly and berries are added. Their crimson tint foreshadows Jesus’ death and sacrifices on the cross, where he poured his blood for our sins.

Pinecones might represent the fresh life that comes from Jesus’ resurrection. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, families light a candle, and each Sunday after that, they light another candle.

3. Meaning & Symbolism of the Advent Candles

In the middle of the darkness, Advent candles glow brilliantly, signifying and reminding us that Jesus came as Light into our dark world. Traditionally, the candles are placed on a circular Advent wreath. Lutheran churches in Scandinavia light a candle every day in December, accumulating a total of twenty-four candles by Christmas. A single candle with twenty-four marks on the side is another Advent candle alternative; the candle is lit each day and allowed to meltdown to the following day’s mark.

However, the most prevalent Advent candle practice involves four candles being placed around the wreath. On each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, a fresh candle is lit. Although customs vary, each candle means something distinct. The first, second, and fourth candles are usually purple, while the third is rose-colored. In some traditions, all four candles are red, while in others, all four candles are blue or white. On Christmas Day, a fifth white candle is sometimes put in the midst of the wreath and lit to commemorate Jesus’ birth.

• The first candle, known as the “Prophet’s Candle,” represents hope. The Old Testament prophets, particularly Isaiah, awaited the Messiah’s approach with bated breath. Purple is a color that represents royalty, repentance, and fasting.
• The second candle, dubbed “Bethlehem’s Candle,” symbolizes faith. Micah predicted that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, the same city where King David was born. The purple color of the second candle represents the preparation for the coming monarch.
• The third candle, known as the “Shepherd’s Candle,” represents joy. The shepherds were overjoyed when the angels declared that Jesus had also come for ordinary, inconsequential people like them. The color rose is associated with pleasure in the liturgy. This candle is pink in hue to symbolize pleasure and happiness.
• The fourth candle, known as the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes serenity. The angels declared that Jesus had come to bring peace—to reacquaint mankind with God and one another. Purple is also used to symbolize the climax of love in the Messiah.
• The fifth candle (optional) symbolizes Light and purity and is known as “Christ’s candle.” On Christmas Day, it is lit and put in the center. This candle is pure white to symbolize triumph and pure brightness.

4. Other Advent Traditions

The following are a few more Advent customs that are observed across the world:

• Believers in Eastern Orthodox churches observe a Nativity Fast that lasts from November 15 to December 24. They fast from meat, dairy, seafood, alcohol, and oil throughout this period. They are hoping that the fast will help them focus more on God and His Kingdom.
• A tradition known as “Posadas” is practiced throughout most of the Spanish-speaking globe. “Posadas” is a Spanish word that means “shelter” or “lodging,” and it takes place from December 16 to 24. The journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem is re-enacted by a group of people. They map out an itinerary and ask for lodging at each property along the way. Each house pretends to be an “innkeeper” and refuses to let them stay. Everyone is welcomed inside the last home for prayer and refreshments.
• Homemade decorations are put on a miniature tree for the Jesse tree. The ornaments might be a reference to an Old Testament prophecy regarding Jesus, or they could be old forebears in Jesus’ genealogy. Along with the Jesse decorations, you may utilize a variety of books.
• On the morning of December 13, Santa Lucia (or St. Lucy) is completed. The house’s oldest daughter wears a white robe with a scarlet belt, as well as a wreath with lit candles on her head. She brings coffee, gingerbread cookies, and saffron buns to her parent’s room for the morning – the younger girls, each carrying a single candle, trail behind the eldest. The “star lads,” as they are known, wear towering, pointed hats.
• Christians in China use colorful paper lanterns to illuminate their houses. Some people add paper chains or flowers to their “Tree of Light.”
• In 1908, a German called Gerhard Lang invented the first printed Advent calendar. His mother used to sew twenty-four biscuits onto the lid of a box when he was a kid. He ate a cookie every day in December. This custom prompted him to design “In the Land of the Christ Child,” a calendar. Advent calendars are still used by many families today to count down the days until Christmas.

Let us recall the beauty and grace of Jesus, no matter how we choose to celebrate the season of Advent. He came into our dark, broken world on the first Christmas, and He’s still striving to restore Light, peace, and life in our world today. May adding the advent wreath and other traditions into your holiday celebrations bring you and your family many blessings.