What Colour Advent Candles Should I Buy?

Advent Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The date varies each year but it is always between 27th November and 3rd December. For many churches, this is an opportunity to pause and reflect as the first of the advent candles are lit.

The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath was imported into Britain from northern Europe in the nineteenth century and is now a common practice.

As with many Church celebrations, variations of this celebration are dependant on tradition.

In the Anglican Church, the 4 main candles are usually red - symbolising communion

In some Anglican churches and in catholic churches, 3 of the four main candles are purple - symbolising prayer and penitence - and the 4th is rose-coloured - symbolising joy

The Advent Wreath has four red or blue candles in a ring around a white or gold candle. In those Anglican churches that follow the Sarum Rite - the original basis for the Anglican book of common prayer - the purple candles are replaced by dark blue ones, whose colour represents the colour of the night sky before the arrival of Jesus. Alternatively, there may be three purple candles, reflecting the liturgical colour for Advent, with a pink candle for the Third Sunday, when rose-pink vestments are traditionally worn.

The Moravian Church - with its emphasis on simplicity and practicality prefers an advent wreath with just 4 plain white candles - often made of beeswax.

Different Christian traditions give the advent candles different names and use them to represent different biblical themes but in the most popular traditions, the first candle is referred to as the prophecy candle to symbolise the Hope of a Messiah proclaimed by the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah.

The second candle is referred to as the Bethlehem candle to commemorate Mary and Joseph’s journey there in preparation for the saviour’s birth.

The third candle is referred to as the Shepherds’ candle and it reminds us of the joy that came into the world when Jesus was born

The fourth candle is known as the Angels candle and commemorates their declaration in the skies over Bethlehem of “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

In all traditions, the fifth candle is the Christ candle and it is lit on either Christmas eve or Christmas day to celebrate his birth and the light He brought to the world.

Alternatively, the scheme that accords best with the Common Worship Principle Service Lectionary is:

Advent 1 - The Patriarchs

Advent 2 - The Prophets

Advent 3 - John the Baptist

Advent 4 - The Virgin Mary

Christmas Day - The Christ

The white candle always represents Jesus and is lit on Christmas day. The Fourth Sunday, where the Virgin Mary is remembered either has a red candle or a pink candle. The pink candle is more commonly used within Catholic Churches and some Anglican traditions.

Finally, in other traditions, the candles have different meanings:

Week 1: Purple –The Candle of Hope – This candle reminds us that God keeps His promises. He promised a Savior, and He sent one.

Week 2: Purple – The Candle of Preparation – This candle reminds us to be prepared to receive the Lord.

Week 3: The Candle of Joy – This candle remembers the multitudes of angels that joyfully announced the birth of Christ.

Week 4: The Candle of Love – This candle represents the love of God. It was out of His incredible love that God sent His only Son Jesus.

Week 5: The Christ Candle – When this candle is lit on Christmas Eve, it symbolises Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

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