-->

• Candles are a traditional part of the observation of the Christian liturgical season of Advent. Many times, candles are placed within an evergreen Advent wreath and lit on each of the four Sundays during the devotional period before Christmas.

• Fast Facts

  1. Advent is observed during the four weeks leading up to Christmas
  2. Advent marks the beginning of the church year for most Western churchesCRI/Voice, Institute: The Christian Season of Advent
  3. Advent candles are traditionally placed inside an Advent wreath made of evergreen
  4. The circular shape of the wreath represents everlasting lifeChristmas & Advent 2008: The Advent Wreath
  5. Four candles are typically used in an Advent wreathCatholic Education: The History of the Advent Wreath
  6. In some traditions, each candle represents 1,000 years—from the origins of Adam and Eve to the birth of JesusCatholic Education: The History of the Advent Wreath
  7. Three of the candles are purple and a fourth is rose-colored, or pinkCatholic Education: The History of the Advent Wreath
  8. Purple candles are lit on the first, second and fourth Sundays of AdventCatholic Education: The History of the Advent Wreath
  9. Rose-colored candle is lit on the third Sunday, marking Advent's midpointCatholic Education: The History of the Advent Wreath
  10. Some Advent wreaths have a fifth white candle in the center, called the "Christ candle"The San Diego Union-Tribune: Advent candles light the way... (December 1, 2007)
  11. The Christ candle is often lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas DayThe San Diego Union-Tribune: Advent candles light the way... (December 1, 2007)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Advent | Candles | Advent Symbols | Advent Calendars | Advent Wreaths | Wooden Advent Calendars | How to Make an Advent Calendar | Advent Songs | Advent Coloring Pages and Crafts | Advent Lesson Plans

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page