ADVENT

“Advent” comes from the Latin

word “adventus” meaning
"coming." Jesus is coming,

Advent is a season of
preparation for His arrival.
 It focuses not only on the past coming of Jesus on the first
Christmas; but also on the present coming of Jesus in the
gospels, the sacraments, other people, prayer, love, truth,
and personal experience; and the future coming of Jesus at
the Second Coming, the Parousia or the Last Judgment.
 What is an Advent
Wreath?
•The Advent Wreath is a
symbols used during Advent.
History of the
Advent Wreath
Pre-Germanic peoples used wreaths with lit candles during
the dark and cold December days as a sign of hope in the
future warm and extended sunlight days of spring.
In a similar vein, Scandinavians “lighted candles [that] were placed
around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn
the ‘wheel of the earth’ back toward the sun to lengthen the days
and restore warmth.”
By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent
wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all,
Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin
and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21)
 What are the symbols of the
Advent Wreath and What does
it represent?
The Wreath
The Wreath holds all the candles together.
It is made out of evergreens to symbolize
life.
It shows God’s promise to us of eternal life.
The wreath is circular to show God's
complete and unending love for us.
Candles
• The four candles represent the four
Sundays before Christmas day.
 Each Sunday during Advent
we light another candle to
remind us of Jesus, the light
of the world.
•The actual length of time of Advent varies
from year to year because Christmas is
not always on the same day of the week.
First Candle

Symbolizes Hope. Sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle”

Remembrance of the Prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold
the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in
anticipation of the coming Messiah
Second Candle

Represents Faith. It is called the “Bethlehem

Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s
journey to Bethlehem.
Third Candle

Symbolizes Joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle”. Pink

because it is a liturgical color for joy. This Sunday is called
“Gaudete” Sunday. Reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at
the coming birth of Jesus.
Fourth Candle

The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with

the "Angels’ Candle" reminding us of the message of
the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth
white "Christ" candle, symbolizing purity, that is lit
on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!