The advent wreath and candles are a beautiful tradition; encompassing the advent season into a circle of light. They are more than just a decoration though, each candle tells part of the gospel story. It is a simple way to teach our children and remind ourselves about deep spiritual truths during December. Let’s dive in to the basics of the significance of advent candles and wreath.

What Is an Advent Wreath?

Traditionally the advent wreath was a circle of evergreen with 5 candles around it. Four of the candles were around the outside and one was on the inside. 

Traditionally the colours were 3 purple, 1 pink and 1 white. This isn’t always necessary, but it is often seen in churches. The candles are also lit progressively over the course of the month.

There is symbolism for the wreath as well, the circle represents God’s eternal love (no beginning or end). The evergreen represents eternal life through Jesus. The light from the candles represents Jesus, as the light of the world. And the progressive lighting of the candles is the anticipating building towards Christmas. 

These are traditional and can be changed or adjusted to personal preference. God doesn’t care what colour your candles are or if you have an evergreen wreath. The purpose of advent and lighting candles is to remind ourselves of the gift Jesus as we prepare our hearts for him!

Of course there is more to it, which we are going to dive into!

The Four Advent Candles

Week 1: The Candle of HOPE (Purple)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Hope is a powerful thing. Often in movies we see hope as being the only thing the characters are holding on to in order to survive. And this can be true for many people in real life. Hope gives us a reason to live, which is exactly why Jesus came.

In our advent wreath, this week we remember that Jesus is the hope from the Old Testament prophets. The promised Messiah that was long awaited. People waited for hundreds of years for Him to come. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1) and as we light the first candle of advent we think about this hope and fulfilled promise from God.

Teaching Kids: “For hundreds of years, people waited and hoped that God would send the Savior He promised. This candle reminds us that Jesus is our hope – He came just like God promised!”

Family Discussion:

• What are you hoping for?
• How is Jesus our greatest hope?

Week 2: The Candle of PEACE (Purple)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called…Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Peace in the chaos, I say this frequently because that is exactly why Jesus came! He came to be the peace in this chaotic world and to bring you comfort within your home. 

His peace is different from anything else we could find on earth. It doesn’t come with an end date, a time limit or huge setup. His peace lives in our hearts just as He does. It doesn’t mean we are perfect or that wars end and conflicts magically resolve, but it means we have the undercurrent of understanding that He is Lord and will make everything right in the end.

Teaching Kids: “Jesus came to bring peace – not just ‘no fighting’ peace, but deep peace in our hearts. Even when things are crazy, Jesus gives us His peace.”

Family Discussion:

• Where do we need Jesus’ peace in our home?
• How does knowing Jesus bring peace?

Week 3: The Candle of JOY (Pink/Rose)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” (Luke 2:10)

Why is the third advent candle pink? No, it isn’t a mistake, there is a reason this candle is different! This is the halfway point to Christmas, “Gaudete Sunday,” which is latin for “rejoice.” A break from the purple to rejoice in the coming of Jesus.

This candle, sometimes called the “Shepherd’s candle” reminds us of the joy in Jesus coming. We are reminded that joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances (that is happiness, there is a difference). The joy from God is something that we have regardless of the situation. 

We give thanks in all things because God is good! And because of that goodness we rejoice, just as the shepherd’s rejoiced on that first Christmas.

Teaching Kids: “The angels announced GOOD NEWS that brings GREAT JOY! Jesus’ birth is something to celebrate – not just at Christmas, but every day!”

Family Discussion:

• What makes you joyful about Jesus?
• How is Jesus-joy different from happiness?

Week 4: The Candle of LOVE (Purple)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Love was born in a stable. A statement that rings true and evokes an image of perfect imperfection because how could a king be born in a barn? And yet that is exactly what Jesus’ love is, it breaks every ideal that world creates and ushers in what His love really means.

His love means everyone can access Him. There are no special guards or locks to keep people out, He came for everyone. And it is our job to go and share this love with the world!

Just as the shepherds left rejoicing, we should do the same. “Come and see what God has done!” Is what we should shout this week!

Teaching Kids: “This candle reminds us WHY Jesus came – because God loves us SO much! Christmas is God’s love story to the world.”

Family Discussion:

• How did God show His love at Christmas?
• How can we share God’s love this week?

Christmas Day: The Christ Candle (White)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

It’s Jesus birthday! Christmas Day marks the end of the advent season, and the end of the advent wreath, but really it is the beginning of the new story where the word became flesh. Jesus came and fulfilled all the promises of the Old Testament. The hope we held in the first week has been granted. 

We can sit in the peace of Jesus, knowing He brings harmony to our lives. Then we can go out and shout for joy, because not only was a baby born, but the saviour for us all! His love will break every chain and fill our lives with good things.

Teaching Kids: “This is the most important candle! It represents Jesus – the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. He is the Light that came into our dark world!”

Christmas Morning Tradition: Light all five candles together and celebrate that Jesus has come!

Light Upon Light

The beauty of this tradition with the advent wreath is light building upon light. Each week more candles are lit until Christmas when the entire wreath is filled with light. Just as Jesus coming fills our world (and lives!) with light.

The advent wreath is a simple reminder about the gospel and what Jesus means to our world. The hope, peace, joy and love He brings is what breaks the chains of darkness and doubt, filling our barren world with renewed life. His presence is the best present at Christmas and when we spend time reflecting on that in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we can enjoy the day all the more.

Whether you do candles or not (I know, little kids and candles can be a fire hazard!) spend time talking about each theme leading up to Christmas. You don’t have to go into a long winded explanation but tell your children about the advent wreath and how we celebrate hope, peace, joy and love during this season because we celebrate Jesus.

This is why we are excited for Christmas. This is why we give gifts and get together, because Jesus came to spill His light and love into our lives and we should share that with everyone!

For a deeper study on Jesus, read Ann Voskamp’s 40 day devotional – “Loved to Life.” A beautiful reminder about the love that came at Christmas and how it conquered death for everyone. Get your copy on Amazon.

For more on the nativity characters we read about in the Christmas story, check out “Characters in the Nativity Story,” which dives deeper into what we can learn from each person we meet in the Christmas story!