For centuries, Christians all around the world have observed Advent in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as a way to focus their hearts on Jesus and His coming. In a recent article, we talked about how youth leaders can use an Advent wreath—which traditionally consists of greenery and five symbolic candles—to deepen students’ understanding of the significance of Jesus’s birth and His future return to Earth. In that article, we explained the meaning of the first two Advent candles, representing hope and peace, and now we turn our attention to the last three.
While the first two candles encourage us to anticipate the final coming of Christ, the remaining three should lead us into a spirit of thankfulness for Jesus’s arrival and a call to be a light to the world. As excitement builds for the celebration of Christ’s birth, the three final candles of Advent should call us to action.
Joy and Gaudete?
On the third Sunday of Advent, it’s tradition to relight the first two candles, followed by the only pink candle within the wreath: the Joy Candle. Why is the Joy Candle a different color than the other three purple candles? I’m so glad you asked.
On this day, we share in the joy of the shepherds, who saw the angels proclaim the arrival of Jesus. The pink color represents joy and comes from Gaudete Sunday, which predates the Advent wreath. If you ask me, gaudete sounds like a female version of God—kind of like dudette versus dude—but it’s actually Latin for rejoice.
As you light the Joy Candle you can read:
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’ Luke 2:10-11
Love and Angels
On the final Sunday of Advent, it’s tradition to light the first three candles, followed by Love Candle, also known as the Angels’ Candle. The second to last Advent candle reminds us of the angels’ proclamation. The hope, peace, and joy we express throughout the Advent season must be rooted in love—Christ’s initial love for us, and our love for Him and others.
While lighting the Love Candle, you can read:
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11
The Best Candle of All
The final candle of the Advent wreath is the Christ Candle. It’s tradition to remove the other candles and leave the Christ Candle alone in the center of the wreath on Christmas Eve. This candle is larger than the rest, and the only one that is white. It represents not only the arrival of baby Jesus, but also the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each believer.
The Christ Candle reminds us of the Great Commission and the call to be a light in a dark world. After lighting the Christ Candle, churches often end Christmas Eve worship by having everyone hold smaller white candles to illustrate the light of the Gospel spreading.
While lighting the Christ Candle, you can read:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
A Call to Share the Light
For generations, Advent has been the beginning of a new year for Christians. It has served as a reminder that we are called to be salt and light to the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). It’s encouraged believers to go out and share the Good News, but it also gives us the perspective that if our work isn’t based in Christ’s love, we won’t be able to provide the hope, peace, and joy that this world desperately needs.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas!
