catholic advent wreath

I would like to know what each of the four candles on the catholic advent wreath symbolizes, and what the wreath itself symbolizes. Thanks!

The wreath symbolizes advent or the "coming of the lord". I don't think there's any exact symbolism for the wreath itself.

There are often 5 candles - 4 purple (royalty) or 3 purple and 1 rose coloured, along with1 white. (The white one is sometimes excluded). One more purple candle is lit on the first day of each week. On Christmas, the while candle is lit to symbolize Christ.

2008-12-15 20:30:39 by Laura H

The Advent Wreath is a popular religious symbol this time of year. Fr. Greg Friedman, OFM, explains: How did it orginate? What does it have to do ...

Hello Raven! Good to see you. I'm looking forward to this Advent season, particularly since the end of it marks the end of me and my husband living in different states.

As far as wreaths go, I'd actually recommend you make your own. It's reasonably easy to get artificial greenery, a simple 4-candle wreath shell, and appropriately colored candles from craft and hobby retailers. I've always made my own, as have my mother and my sister. The commercially available Advent wreaths tend to be very flashy and showy, as well as of questionable quality, neither of which speaks well to the solemnity of the Advent season. It's usually cheaper to make your own than to purchase one ready-made anyhow.

2008-11-20 12:56:12 by The Raven †

Price: $5.99

I know that Lent lasts 4 to 6 weeks,beginning on Ash Wednesday,and,ending on Easter Sunday.But,why isn't there such a thing as a Lent wreath with candles and lighting them,like there is with Advent?My parents and I celebrate both,but,we find greater unity with Advent then we do with Lent,because of our Advent wreaths and lighting the candles all 4 weeks of Advent,in addition to more prayers,especially at dinner time,which is when we light our Advent wreath candles.

Also,I have my own personal Advent calendar,which I find helpful.I just feel a greater sense of unity with Advent more than I do with Lent because of the use of things like Advent calendars,wreaths,and the lighting of Advent wreath candles.

Other than that,I think my basic Christian faith is fine.

Well... is there something that says you CAN'T make one? I don't think there is (even though I'm Jewish, my best friend is Catholic). If it would make the season more meaningful to you, then why not do something on those lines? Perhaps incorporate the color purple, and perhaps spring flowers, as it is traditionally associated with the Lenten season. In short, use your imagination, and do something that is meaningful to you.

2009-03-25 20:21:32 by auntfran8

Candles not Included
Qty 1
Gift Boxed -- Porcelain -- 9" Dia -- Christmas Traditions

i only have a page and a half. its supposed to be at least 3 pages.
i have no idea what else to talk about.
any suggestions, comments, ideas?
only they way Roman Catholics celebrate it. ty. :)
PLEASE
it will be greatly appreciated.

it sounds very mediocre yes, but that is because my teacher isn't looking for writing skills just tons of information on advent.

The Season of Advent


Advent is a season in the Catholic Church. Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It is a time of preparation, hope, and anticipation of Jesus Christ's birth. During this time we go through a period of prayer and are encouraged to go to Church regularly. Advent is also the beginning of the Church Year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24).

During advent there are different symbols we use to express our beliefs. One example is the Advent wreath. The symbolism of the Advent wreath is simple but effective. Overall, the wreath represents “fulfillment of time” and the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent. The greenery of the wreath represents eternal life. Whenever we are in doubt we look to the wreath as a sign that life continues. Candles are another important symbol during Advent. These candles are placed upon the wreath. One candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday. Each candle represents a different aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ into the world and the prophets whose inspired words pierced through the darkness while man was waiting for the Messiah to come. There are four candles which represent the four weeks of Advent. The tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to add up to 4,000 to represent the years separating Adam and Eve to the Birth of the Savior. The purple candles symbolize love, peace, and hope. The pink candle symbolizes joy. The White candle symbolizes Christ. The burning of the candles represents the coming of Christ as the light of the world.


Advent started by the Western churches that looked to Rome as their leader. There were two main influences. The first came out of France, during the fourth century AD, probably from Celtic monks. They took out about a period of about six weeks before Christ's Mass and used it as a devotional time of prayer. The second influence came from Rome. They practiced fasting for three-to-six weeks and went to church regularly. This was a fast before the feast of Christmas time.

Some thoughts on Advent:

Advent is a time of preparation and reflection before Christmas. It is similar but not as solemn as Lent is to Easter.

The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming.

Advent looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem and looks to the future when Christ will come again.

Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas. In 2007, Advent will start on December 2 and ends on Christmas eve.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.h tm

With love in Christ.

2008-12-11 19:40:53 by David F

My family is Catholic,and,my parents are devout Catholics,but,I'm a Pentecostal Christian.For many years,we stopped celebrating Advent for our own reasons. We used to celebrate Advent a lot more when I was a child.After not celebrating it for so many years,we decided to start celebrating it four years ago,and,plan to continue.It's a good thing that we saved our old Advent wreath,but,I had to order new Advent candles on the internet last year because I couldn't find them in three local stores.

Ever since then,and,every year at this time,my parents and I feel that we have a greater sense of unity among ourselves,and,even a greater and stronger sense of faith.

Another reason why we decided to re celebrate Advent is because we felt it was easier to stay more spiritually focused during this time of year,when it's so easy to get caught up in all the materialism and commercialism of this time of year.

In my opinion,it's too bad that not all Christians and all Christian churches celebrate Advent.If they did,I don't think materialism and commercialism would have such a serious grip on a lot of people.
I've been a member of a local Assemblies of God church for 4 years,and,they celebrate Christmas,but not Advent.So,in my case it was an individual and family choice in more ways than one.I wish all Christian churches would celebrate Advent as well as Christmas,but,they don't,and,that's too bad,because I feel that doing so would really help their members grow in their faith,be more spiritual,and,have less of a struggle with materialism.

we used to when i was younger. my dads catholic and his family is as well but me my sister and my mom are not, but we always lived by catholicism anyways. but when we did celebrate we were closer as a family. when they divorced we stopped celebrating since things started changing and we grew apart but now that im on my own and married we dont celebrate mainly because my husband has had to work every holiday season since we have been married, but now that we have a little girl starting next year i want to get back into celebrating that stuff for her so we can be a family and teach her as shes just 1 month this christmas. but i agree it brings families closer i think

2009-11-30 15:29:05 by auntfran8