What do the Advent candles mean?
Advent candles are used to herald the arrival of Christmas and to celebrate the season leading to Christmas Day. The candles are usually part of an Advent wreath set on a tabletop, counter or mantel. There are four or five candles in an Advent wreath, one for each Sunday before Christmas. Some people add a fifth candle for Christmas Day.HistoryThe exact beginnings of the Advent wreath and candles are not clear. There is some evidence that similar wreaths were used by the Germanic cultures before Christianity adapted the tradition to represent the coming of the light of the world to erase sin and teach truth in light, the birth of Jesus.Candle SymbolismEach candle has a symbolic meaning. The first is the candle of hope or prophecy, the second is the candle of the way, the third represents joy, the fourth symbolizes peace and the final candle, lit on Christmas Day, is the Christ candle.Candle ColorsDifferent cultures use different candle colors ranging from the traditional four red or wh
