5 Advent Candles & Their Meaning – I share about what the five different candles that are lit during Advent and what each mean. #AdventCandles #Advent
5 Advent Candles & Their Meaning
Growing up we never did the advent stuff at church. So my wife and I went to a random church for their Christmas Eve Service in 2019 and and we got to learn about the Advent Candles.
In 2023, Advent begins December 3rd and ends December 24th.
My wife and I went to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in 2019 to Grace Point Baptist Church in Talbott, TN. That is when we learned more about the Advent Candles used during Advent.
5 Advent Candles & Their Meaning – I share about what the five different candles that are lit during Advent and what each mean. #AdventCandles Click To TweetAdvent can mean the arrival of a person, thing or event. It can also mean the coming of Christ or the second coming of Christ.
There are five candles lit in the advent candle set. Each one represents something different. Traditionally these are lit one per week on Sunday during Advent. However, in most church services they do them all at one lighting.
There are three blue or purple candles, one pink or rose candle and one white candle.
There are five candles lit in the advent candle set. Each one represents something. Find out their meaning. Click To TweetAdvent candles are a part of Christian traditions that serve as a reminder that Jesus came as Light into our dark world. Each one represents something different:
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
These candles are usually placed in a circle around a wreath.
1. Candle of Hope (Prophet Candle / God’s People Candle)
The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
Prophets knew if the hope of the coming Messiah. Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. Our hope is only found in Jesus Christ. This is God’s forgiveness for man. This one is a purple / blue candle.
It was anticipation of the coming of the Messiah as foretold by Isaiah.
Usually lit the first Sunday of Advent.
Isaiah 7:14
2. Candle of Faith (Bethlehem Candle)
The second candle represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David. This candle reminds of the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
The experience or journey of Joseph and Mary in the city of Bethlehem. The Baby Jesus in the Manager. This one is purple or blue.
Usually lit the Second Sunday of Advent.
Luke 2:12
3. Candle of Joy (Shepherd’s Candle)
The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” The angels announced to the shepherds in the field, “good news of great joy to all people.” This candle is pink because, in Christian history, the color rose signifies joy.
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
This reminds us of the joy of the birth of Christ. This one is pink or rose colored.
This is lit the Third Sunday of Advent.
Luke 2:8-11
4. Candle of Peace (Angel’s Candle)
The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace–He came to bring people peace with God and with each other again.
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
This candle represents peace and justice that the angels and Christ brings to the world. It also can represent purity. This candle is usually purple or blue.
“Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
Usually Lit the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Luke 2:8-11
5. Candle of Light & Purity (Christ Candle)
The fifth candle is white and it represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s candle” as it represents Christ coming into the world. It is placed in the middle as a reminder of the preeminent place of Christ.
George Miller – Pastor, Elder at Grace Point Baptist Church
This candle represents the life of Christ and His purity.
This candle is usually lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is usually found in the middle because Christ is the center of all things. A white candle is most always used because of His Purity and He washes us whiter than snow.
This candle usually is lit every night until Feast of the Epiphany, which is twelve days from Christmas.
Isaiah 1:18
You then blow them all out, but the Christ candle. Because it is His light. That is when the pastor lit the Candle he was holding to the end of each row. Then that person was to light the person beside them in their pew and so.
The colors can vary based on your faith, tradition, etc.
The Catholic Faith will even say four of the candles represents 1,000 years each. Total of 4,000 from the first Adam to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Thanks Pastor Miller for teaching me something new this Christmas! Thanks for sharing your notes with me that I quoted above. The rest is from doing some research at various websites.
Be sure to check out the Whole Christmas Story!
Future occurrences:
Advent typically starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends on Christmas Eve (December 24th).
- December 2, 2024 to December 24, 2024
- December 1, 2025 to December 24, 2025
- November 29, 2026 to December 24, 2026
- November 28, 2027 to December 24, 2027
Are you familiar or do the candles for Advent?
If you are, than feel free to share about your experience(s) in the comments below. If you have something to add abut each one, feel free to do some as well.
First published December 26, 2019. Last updated or republished November 28, 2023.
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