Advent and its candles: what do they mean and represent
The season of Advent in the church is a season to prepare for and reflect on the arrival of Jesus Christ. The season of Advent lasts four weeks and starts Nov. 29. this year. Each week has a purpose with one candle to represent what each week means. Each candle is placed on a wreath called an, “Advent Wreath” and each candle is lit on their respective weeks. There are four colors for the candles; three candles are purple, one candle is pink, and one candle is white.
The first week and candle of Advent represents hope. Hope is usually used as a last resort in a troublesome situation to raise the mood and hope something good will come soon. The purpose of Hope during Advent and in the church is to trust that God will fulfill his promises and be hopeful and anticipate that Christ will one day return and make everything new. This hope teaches people to persevere, act justly, and serve others as a sign of the restoration Christ will bring.
The second week and candle of Advent represents peace. Peace is usually used by the militaries in hopes that enemies won’t attack us and we all will have peace, or people who ignore reality and want to keep the peace with nobody truly at peace. The purpose of peace during Advent and in the church is not anything like the peace we hear all the time; Peace during Advent is the peace obtained through the way of Christ as he works on healing sources of division and problems. This peace encourages us to be like Christ and forgive others, care for our neighbors, and extend love toward everyone.
The third week and candle of Advent represents joy. Joy is often used to describe how someone is feeling when something makes them happy or a favorable event: Joy normally doesn’t last and ends when those events pass. The purpose of joy during Advent and in the church is not about general happiness, it is the deep safety and freedom people feel because of God's loving character. People experience God's joy as he walks with us through life whether it’s positive or negative.
The fourth week and candle of Advent represents love. Love is usually used to describe an emotion we often fall in and out of. Love is usually used to describe something we can achieve through a relationship status. The purpose of love in Advent and in the church is the love we feel when caring for others' well-being. Christ showed us love when he sacrificed himself on the cross for friends and enemies alike.
Finally, the white candle is lit on Christmas Eve, representing God entering our dark world through Christ. Advent ends on Christmas Eve and Christ was born, in order to shine some light on our dark world.
Comments