The Special Meaning Behind the Advent Wreath

One of the most recognized symbols of Advent has to be the Advent Wreath. The circle of three purple candles and one rose-colored one helps us to mark the weeks down to Christmas and prepare our homes and hearts for the coming of Jesus.

Blessing the Advent Wreath

It’s best to do this blessing during the first week of Advent, but anytime after is fine. Here is one from the United States Catholic Council of Bishops:

“Prayer of Blessing For Your Home Advent Wreath

Lord, our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel, the hope of all people, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this Advent wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.

May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.

The blessing may conclude with a verse from
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:

The First Candle

The first purple candle on the wreath is called the Prophecy Candle. Here we remember all of the foreshadowings of the Messiah, particularly from the prophet, Isaiah. Light that candle with the anticipation of the coming of Baby Jesus.

The Second Candle

The second purple candle is called the Bethlehem Candle. It reminds us of the big journey Joseph and a very pregnant Mary took on their journey to Bethlehem. As we mothers continue to get ready for Christmas with our families it may help to light this candle to focus on the true journey to Christmas that they traveled.

The third candle.

This week we finally get to light the pink candle, the Shepard’s Candle, to symbolize our joy at making it halfway to Christmas! On this Gaudete Sunday, we share in the joy that the birth of Jesus brings to all of us!

The Fourth Candle.

This last week of Advent, we light the final purple candle. Our trip around the Advent wreath is almost over as is our last week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

Variations

I like to put different statues and candles in the center of my wreath during the season. St. Nicholas, Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Holy Family all take turns in the center of the wreath during the advent season. Here are a couple of Examples