Religious Education & Faith Life

Advent

This coming Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. 

Advent is the beginning of the Liturgical Year and is a time for anticipation, preparation, joy and hope. Catholic’s use it to grow in our understanding of the joy and hope that we celebrate at Christmas. During Advent we celebrate and prepare to remember Jesus' entry into the world at Christmas.  The colour of Advent is violet or a shade of purple. This colour is seen in the church and the priests wear purple robes, except on the third Sunday where the priest will wear pink. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and reminds people of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that people have reached the midpoint of Advent. Gaudete Sunday calls people to rejoice in hope.

One of the most recognisable symbols of the Advent season is the Advent Wreath. The Advent Wreath is a visible sign for counting down the four weeks of Advent leading to Christmas. 

The Advent Wreath is a circle of evergreen leaves with four candles, three purple and one pink. A fifth candle may also be placed in the centre of the wreath. This is a white candle, the Christ candle, lit on Christmas Eve. 

The wreath and candles are full of symbolism. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the everlasting life people find in Jesus. The four candles on the wreath also have special symbolism: 

The first candle which is purple symbolises hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. 

The second candle which is purple represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David. 

The third candle which is pink symbolises joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus also came for humble, unimportant people like them. In liturgy, the colour rose signifies joy. 

The fourth candle which is purple represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace. Jesus came to bring people closer to God and to each other again. 

The (optional) fifth candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s Candle.” It is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day.