Advent Wreaths: What & Why?

Every year, our Advent wreath – with its four purple candles encircling a larger white candle – makes its appearance on our chancel. Have you ever wondered how the custom of the Advent wreath and candles started, or why we even light Advent candles?

 The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th century. However, it wasn’t until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took shape. In medieval times, Advent was a period of fasting during which people's thoughts were directed to the expected second coming of Christ; but in modern times many have forgotten this meaning and instead, it has been seen primarily as the lead up to Christmas.

 Advent wreaths are circular, representing God's infinite love, and are usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ." Within the Advent wreath are candles that generally represent the four weeks of the Advent season as well as "the light of God coming into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ," although each of the candles can be attributed its own significance as well. The four candles of the Advent wreath specifically symbolize the Christian concepts of hope, peace, joy, and love, with these candles being lit subsequently throughout each week of the Advent season. Many Advent wreaths also have a white candle in the center, known as the “Christ candle,” to symbolize the arrival of Christmastide. It is first lit on Christmas Eve, the beginning of Christmastide, and may be lit throughout the rest of the Christmas season, and Epiphany – if desired. The Christ candle is white because this is the traditional festal color in the Western Church.

 In many Catholic and Protestant churches, the most popular colors for the four surrounding Advent candles are violet (or blue) and rose, corresponding with the colors of the liturgical colors for the Sundays of Advent. For denominations of the Western Christian Church, violet is the historic liturgical color for three of the four Sundays of Advent as it is the traditional color of penitential seasons. Blue has been historically used too, as it represents hopefulness, reflective of the theme of Advent surrounding the First and Second Coming of Jesus, and as the color associated with Mary. Rose is the liturgical color for the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday (from the Latin word meaning "rejoice ye"). As such, the third candle, representing joy, is often a different color from the other three. The four “Advent” candles are not lit following Christmas Eve/Day, once the Christ candle has been lit.

 This year, we’re recognizing those who provide service to our church and community through those who will be our Advent candle lighters. Since we have only four weeks (plus Christmas Eve) for Advent candle lighters, we can’t recognize every group that provides service, but we’re hoping to draw attention to the amazing folks who provide their time and talent to our faith community and keep things running here at High Street. Be sure to say, “Thanks!” to them.