Contributed by Anne Mistretta
Maybe you've heard all of this, but it's always a great reminder that very little is random in religious symbolism. The wreath is more than just a four week countdown to the birth of Baby Jesus. Read to the end and see if you can find out what else the weekly lightings remind us of.
What does the advent wreath represent?
Evergreens – continuous life.
Circle of the wreath – no beginning and no end; the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ.
Pine cones, nuts or seedpods used to decorate wreath – life and resurrection.
What do the four candles represent?
The four weeks of Advent. Each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
The light also signifies Christ, the Light of the World.
What are the colors of the candles?
Three candles are purple and one is rose.
What do the purple candles represent?
Prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works.
What does the rose candle represent?
The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent to signify the rejoicing of the faithful – for the midpoint of Advent.
The progressive (one each week) lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming in the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
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1 comment:
My friend Gale who I met on the Windy Gap retreat sent me this great comment and further elucidation on the wreath, too:
You may receive the same comment from others from Protestant denominations. Or at least Presbyterian. The four candles that circle the wreath represent Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The white candle in the middle represents Christ.
Neither right nor wrong, just different.
I look forward to your email every day. You and the other contributors have really helped me to focus on Advent, rather than the commercialism of Christmas. Thank you, Gale
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