The Advent Wreath
is circular, symbolizing God's infinite love and made of evergreen leaves to represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ.
Candles depict the four weeks of Advent and the Light of God
coming into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.
The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday.
Additional ones are lit, one on each Sunday, with the white candle lit on Christmas Day.
There are several traditions about the meaning or theme of each candle.
The scheme that accords best with the Common Worship Principal 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
Each of the four Sundays then reminds us of those who prepared for the coming of Christ.
The Patriarchs can naturally focus on Abraham, our father in faith -
and David, the ancestor in whose city Jesus was born.
The Prophets gives an opportunity to reflect on the way the birth of the Messiah was ‘foretold’.
John, who proclaimed the Saviour - and Mary, who bore him in her womb, complete the picture.
The individual candles can also portray -
• HOPE (Week 1) • PEACE (Week 2) • JOY (Week 3) • LOVE (Week 4)