It is one of the beautiful traditions of the church that during the season of Advent, we include an Advent wreath in the chancel. This wreath holds five candles, one to be lit each Advent Sunday as we work our way through the season. The final candle, in the middle of the wreath, is a white candle and is lit on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas day. Extra candles in the chancel during the Advent and Christmas seasons help denote that these are seasons of light. The coming of Christ into our world is Light shining in darkness, as John writes in the opening of his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:1-9). And so, we light candles for Advent and Christmas. Over the years, each candle in the wreath has come to have some meaning associated with the coming of the Christ child.
Hope
The first candle is often referred to as the “Hope” candle. The coming of Immanuel in the manger brings hope to a dark and lost world. This child has come to save people from their sins, as the angel told Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This candle also reflects the hope that the Church has in the promised second advent of Jesus, when he returns at the end of the age to bring us with him to heaven.
Peace
The second candle is called the Peace candle or the Bethlehem candle, reflecting on the peace promised by Christ’s birth and the faithfulness of those who played a part in the Christmas story —from Joseph and Mary, to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to John the Baptist .preparing the way for the Lord. In lighting this candle, we celebrate the restoration of creation and the wonder of God’s peace, proclaimed by the angels over Bethlehem to the shepherds, as well as the peace with God that all share who trust in the Savior.
Joy
The third Advent candle is referred to as the Joy candle or the Shepherd’s candle. This candle is traditionally pink. The third week of Advent celebrates the joy of Christmas day and, not surprisingly, often focuses on the declaration of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds by the angels. Their words of rejoicing, saying “glory to God in the highest”, stir up our souls to give thanks for the miracle of Christmas. The shepherds, after seeing the baby just as the angels had told them returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. We also note the joy in Mary’s song (the Magnificat) which she sings upon greeting her cousin Elizabeth, saying, ““My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:46-49).
Love
The fourth candle lit in Advent is the Love candle. Love is at the very center of the Christmas story—Mary’s love for Jesus, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s love for each other and for John, the love and respect of the Magi and the Shepherds shown to Jesus, and, most importantly, the love that God has for the world – love that would prompt him to send his only begotten Son into the flesh, to live and die and rise to offer salvation to all people.
Christ
The fifth and final candle is the Christ candle. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, marking the arrival of the Son of God in the manger. Our season of waiting is ended. With the lighting of the Christ candle, we remember the Light that shines in the darkness; our source of hope, peace, joy and love.
May you experience these gifts that are yours in Christ Jesus, and may your Advent and Christmas seasons be blessed ones as you celebrate his coming both humbly in the manger, and again in great power and glory at the end of time.
- Pastor