Meaning of Advent and Advent Wreath

Advent (from the Latin word advenio, meaning "to come", "the coming of Christ our saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known outside the Church as the season of Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday. The Eastern churches begin the year on 1 September. The progression of Advent may be marked with an Advent calendar reckoning Advent to start on 1 December, a practice introduced by German Lutherans.

Adventus is the Latin word for "coming", and is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Jesus.

An advent wreath is a ring or set of four candles, usually made with evergreen cuttings, that is used for household devotion by Christians during the season of Advent. Many churches illuminate these candles in succession as part of their Sunday services during the four weeks leading up to Christmas (the Advent season).

There are several interpretations of the symbolism of the advent wreath. The underlying symbolism is the accumulation of light as an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is seen as "the light of the world" in Christian faith.

Later different interpretations had been added - especially for the colours of the candles and the form.

In the catholic liturgy three of the candles are violet-coloured, and one is rose-coloured. Increasingly, due to changes in the Roman Catholic Church's lectionary in the United States, all four candles may be violet. When used in household devotion, one violet candle is lit on the first evening of Advent (a Sunday). On successive Sundays, the second violet candle is added, then the rose candle, and finally, the third violet candle. Some Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans use blue candles rather than violet, while some use only white candles. Purple is a colour of penitence and royalty. Some churches will use Blue, a colour of hope, in place of purple to distinguish the use of purple during Lent. Some wreaths have a larger, central fifth candle (generally white), which is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to signify Christ's birth.

The wreath is meant to represent God's eternity. The violet candles symbolize faithful expectation, and the rose candle joy and hope. In earlier times the season of Advent had stronger penitential and ascetic aspects, and a relaxation of disciplines was offered on the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin for "rejoice", the first words of the Introit. This turn is reflected in the theme of rejoicing and the shift from violet to rose.

In some traditions the first candle is often called the prophet's candle, and is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' arrival. The second is generally called the Bethlehem candle, reminding Christians that God appeared to them in a humble manner; Bethlehem was located in the territory of one of the least powerful tribes of Israel. The third candle is the shepherds' candle, representing the joy that more than half of Advent is over. The final candle is the angels' candle, symbolising their peace and the message of good news that they offer.

In other traditions that use five candles the First Candle, the candle of Hope represents the Patriarchs of the faith. The second candle, the candle of Peace represents prophets who foretold of Jesus' birth, the third Candle is the Candle of Love and represent John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for Christ and the fourth candle is called the candle of joy and represents Mary the mother of Jesus. The fifth and final candle which is usually white represents Jesus Christ and is lit on Christmas day.

Here are the five candles and their symbolism:

First Candle

Color: Purple
Theme: Hope
First Sunday in Advent

Second Candle

Color: Purple
Theme: Love
Second Sunday in Advent

Third Candle

Color: Purple or pink
Theme: Joy
Third Sunday in Advent

Fourth Candle

Color: Purple
Theme: Peace
Fourth Sunday in Advent

Optional Center Candle

Color: White
Theme: Christmas
Christmas Day

Reference: Wikipedia