The Advent Season: Preparation for the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ

It is the time of the year again where we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Second Coming. As we mark the start of another Liturgical year, we explore the meaning of the Advent Season in the Christian Calendar. 

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Written by Tiffany Ocampo
Layout by Aurora Madali

Posted on November 28, 2021  |  9:45 AM

Before every Christmas, Catholics from all over the world often see these circular and flattened evergreen branches with four candles on the top. They are called Advent wreaths or Advent crowns, and they are mostly present in Christian households and Churches. Additionally, the four candles on the top of these advent wreaths have various meanings. These symbolic wreaths represent one of the most important seasons in the Liturgical calendar - the Advent Season. As we begin this very significant time of year, we will be defining Advent and the meaning and significance of the Advent wreath and its candles.

Originating from the Latin word adventus, which means coming or arrival, Advent is a four-week long commemoration that precedes Christmas. During this period, Christians get reminded of the sacred meaning of Christmas as they prepare for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus and look forward to His Second Coming. Advent has always been a season of spiritual contemplation as well as joy and anticipation for centuries. It starts on the 4th Sunday before December 24, which is the season’s last day. Because the day it begins in every year changes, the exact length of the advent season also varies. 

The Advent wreath is widely known as the symbol of Advent. It captures the overall essence of celebrating the season. It first appeared in Germany in 1839. As the story goes, a minister of Lutheranism, a branch of Protestantism, was serving on a mission dedicated to children. The minister created a wreath made out of a wheel of a cart. Then, he placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles within the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays while the white candles were lit on Sundays. 

Eventually, different forms of the Advent wreath started to evolve. Nowadays, the wreath is made of evergreen. Additionally, the evergreens indicate continuous life. The wreath’s shape, which is a circle, signifies God’s eternity and His promise of everlasting life made apparent through His Son, Jesus Christ. Moreover, we now only have four candles. These candles each have their own signification that is aligned with the season. Usually, Advent wreaths have four candles surrounding them, but there are instances where a fifth candle is added in the middle of the wreath. The four candles are lit up every Sunday leading up to Christmas Day, while the fifth candle in the middle is lit on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself. Essentially, the Advent wreath prepares our mind and heart for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Three of the four candles surrounding the wreath also have different colors than the remaining one. The first, second, and fourth candles are colored in purple; this is because purple is a liturgical color that denotes a time of sacrifice, penance, and prayer. On the other hand, the third candle is colored in pink because it is a liturgical color for joy. The fifth candle occasionally placed in the middle is traditionally white, and the color represents purity. 

The first candle is purple in color and it symbolizes hope. It is reminiscent of the expectation felt by humanity in anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah. This candle is sometimes also called the “Prophecy Candle”. It aims to honor the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who predicted the birth of Jesus Christ.

The second candle is also purple in color. This candle symbolizes faith and is known to be the “Bethlehem Candle” as this candle commemorates Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. 

Unlike the other candles, the third candle is pink in color. This candle symbolizes joy and is often called the “Shepherd’s Candle”. Furthermore, the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday, which is also the Sunday this candle is lit upon, intends to remind all Christians about the joy the world felt at the time when Jesus was born. 

The fourth and final candle is purple in color, and it symbolizes peace. It is also known as “The Angel’s Candle”. The lighting of this candle marks the final week of prayer and penance as Christians wait for the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  It also reminds them of the message of the angels announced during the nativity of Jesus: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The fifth candle, which is sometimes placed in the middle of the wreath, is called the “Christ Candle” and is lit on Christmas Eve. It represents the life of Jesus Christ, and the candle's color is white, which is a symbol of purity - that Christ is sinless and He is our Saviour. 

The Advent season prepares our hearts and minds for Christmas and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is a time where we devote ourselves to prayer, reflection, and good deeds as we remember the true meaning of Jesus’ birth. In this season, we get to know, personally, the significance and sacredness of Christmas. It is where we affirm, reflect, and explore our faith, while also letting the presence of Jesus Christ into our hearts and minds. 

As we begin this gracious season, may we invite ourselves to step away from the hectic time that we are currently experiencing, to take a deep breath, enjoy, and commemorate one of the most important moments in our Catholic faith. During this season, may we find the time to reconnect not only with our loved ones but also with ourselves and most importantly with Jesus.