A New Liturgical Year in the Advent Wreath

We begin a new Liturgical Year for the Church in the Season of Advent. This is the time to prepare our hearts to receive Christ once again, in His coming at Christmas. Let us reflect upon our lives in anticipation of His second coming, at the end of time. 

The Advent Wreath is perhaps the most common Advent symbol and is also one of the most popular tradition for the home. In Churches and chapels, homes and offices, we see a beautiful symbolism of Advent in the Advent Wreath.  It is made up of various evergreens in circle, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, depicts the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found only in Christ, the eternal Word of the Father.

The Advent Wreath has four candles, which refer to the four weeks (or four Sundays) of Advent. Each week represents one hundred years, according to tradition, to sum up to the four thousand years from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior. Each candles is lit on each Sunday of Advent.  The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord's first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

The color of the three candles is purple and one is color rose. The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifice, and the good works the faithful undertake at this time in preparation for Christ's birth.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the rose candle is lit, and this Sunday is called "Gaudete Sunday", or the Sunday of rejoicing. It is so because the faithful are now at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas Day.

These are the meaning of each of the candles on the Advent Wreath:

First Sunday of Advent - "The Prophet's Candle":  It symbolizes hope to remind us that Jesus is coming and in remembrance of the prophets, primarily the Prophet Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ.

Second Sunday of Advent - "The Bethlehem Candle": It symbolizes faith which reminds of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and Christ's birth in a manger in the City of David.

Third Sunday of Advent - "The Shepherd's Candle": It symbolizes joy and reminds us of the joy of the fulfillment of the promise of God to send a Savior by the birth of Jesus. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent - "The Angel's Candle": The fourth Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with the Angel's Candle reminding us of the message of the angels: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."

The Advent Wreath is a beautiful way to enter into reflection alone or with our family. Slowing down during the hectic rush of the season and bringing family together around the Advent Wreath can be a source of peace, grace, and blessings shared with one another throughout time.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!