Advent Candles

We were out of town this past Sunday and I wasn't able to post the Advent candles then. I don't want to miss sharing this Nativity Advent candle display. Four sections hold the purple and pink candles and each section has Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and an angel.

The Advent wreath is comprised of four candles, three candles purple, and one pink, arranged in a circle of evergreen boughs. Some wreaths have a fifth, white candle in the middle.
During the customarily penitential seasons of Advent and Lent, the clergy and the altars of most liturgical churches sport purple vestments. The purple candles reflect the contemplative nature of the season, and they symbolize repentance.

The pink candle is lighted on the third Sunday of Advent, which is also referred to as Rose Sunday, Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete means "Rejoice" in Latin), or Refreshment Sunday. The Lectionary provides more cheerful lessons on this day, and in the good old days of disciplined fasting, Christians were allowed extra sustenance this day, often in the form of hot cross buns. While I've never thought of hard pastry as particularly refreshing, I suppose a hungry and penitential December might alter one's perspective.

The white candle, lighted on Christmas, is called the Christ Candle, and represents purity. The evergreen circle of the wreath represents the everlasting nature of God.

There are many and varied traditions around the meaning of each particular candle. Many churches and families create their own meditations on the Advent candles. Two of the more common are each candle representing the foundations of our walk as Christians, and each candle representing our ancestors in faith:

First Candle
Faith
The Patriarchs

Second Candle
Joy
The Prophets

Third Candle
Love
John the Baptist

Fourth Candle
Hope
The Virgin Mary

By counting the Sundays of Advent with lighted candles, we prepare for welcoming the One True Light. During our hectic preparation for the Christmas season, the Advent wreath reminds us of the real and beautiful source of peace on earth and goodwill to men. And women, and children.

I borrowed parts of the above information from the internet: www.holycrossredmond.org