By: Emilia Jaeger-Rodriguez
With Christmas approaching soon, we are now in the season of Advent. Advent is meant to be a time for us to prepare for Jesus’s coming. We typically do this by lighting a new candle on our advent wreath each Sunday, starting the first week of December. Although many of us do this at home each week or see the candles lit up at church, how many of us have taken the time to learn about the true meaning of this tradition?
Why Candles?
The church started the tradition of lighting up candles to prepare for Jesus’s coming because the light each candle sheds is a symbol of the light Jesus brought into the world with his love and his teachings.
The meaning of each candle
1. The first candle on an advent wreath is often called the “Prophet’s Candle” and it symbolizes Hope. It specifically refers to the hope that people in Jesus’s time had that a Messiah would come and save them.
2. The second candle of advent is the “Bethlehem Candle”. This candle symbolizes Faith because it reflects the faith Joseph and Mary had in God while they travelled to Bethlehem. As Catholics, we can try and emulate Joseph and Mary’s faith by trusting that God has a plan for us when we are facing challenges and praying for Him to guide us through life.
3. The third candle of advent is called the “Sheperd’s Candle ” It is pink, unlike the rest of the candles and it symbolizes Joy. The name of it is a reference to how the shepherds in the nativity story were so overjoyed when they heard about the birth of The Messiah that they immediately went to pay their respects and meet Jesus.
4. The final candle of advent is the “Angel’s Candle”. It symbolizes Peace and is meant to remind us of what the angels said to the shepherds, “Peace on earth, Good will towards men”. It is also a reminder of Jesus’s mission, which was for humanity to live peacefully and love each other as God loves us.
Knowing what each advent candle means and why we celebrate advent can help us be truly prepared for the holiday season this year and maybe help us see Christmas in a different light.
Comments