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In the heart of the bustling holiday season, as the world rushes toward December 25th, there exists a quieter, more profound period of preparation. It’s a season of waiting, of reflection, and of deep, resonant anticipation. This is Advent, and it’s a time rich with symbols that do more than just decorate our homes and churches—they tell a story. They are tangible theology, transforming a simple countdown into a spiritual journey.
For many, Advent is simply the four weeks before Christmas. But its traditions, from the glowing wreath on the dining table to the daily surprise of an Advent calendar, are steeped in centuries of history and meaning. These symbols are not mere decorations; they are tools designed to focus our hearts and minds on the dual nature of the season: a remembrance of Christ’s first coming in a humble manger and an eager anticipation of His second coming in glory.
This guide will walk you through the most significant symbols of Advent, unpacking their historical roots, their intricate meanings, and their enduring power. We’ll explore why one candle is pink, how a tree can tell the entire story of salvation, and how a simple orange can represent the whole world. This is the story of how we wait, how we hope, and how we prepare for the coming of the Light.
The Heart of Advent: The Advent Wreath
Perhaps the most iconic symbol of the season, the Advent wreath is a centerpiece in churches and homes around the globe. Its simple, elegant form is a powerful visual representation of the entire season’s themes. Every element, from its shape to its color, is intentional and packed with meaning.
A Circle of Eternity: The Wreath’s Shape and Greenery
The most fundamental feature of the wreath is its shape: a perfect circle. With no beginning and no end, the circle is a timeless symbol of God’s eternity and His endless love for humanity. Just as a circle is unbroken, God’s promises are unending and His mercy is everlasting.
The wreath itself is traditionally made from evergreens, such as pine, fir, or holly. In the dead of winter, when the world outside seems dormant and lifeless, the evergreen remains vibrant and alive. This serves as a powerful symbol of hope and everlasting life. It’s a physical reminder that even in times of darkness and cold, there is an enduring promise of life and renewal, made possible through Christ. The prickly leaves of holly can also serve as a reminder of the crown of thorns, connecting the birth of Jesus with his ultimate sacrifice and resurrection—the full scope of the salvation story.
Lighting the Way: The Four Candles
Set within the evergreen circle are four candles, one for each of the four Sundays of Advent. A new candle is lit each week, marking the passage of time and the growing anticipation for Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the increasing light of Christ dispelling the darkness of the world. As each new flame is added, the wreath becomes brighter, just as our hope and joy grow stronger as we draw closer to the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
The German Roots: A Story of Impatient Children
While the symbolism feels ancient and timeless, the Advent wreath as we know it is a relatively modern invention. Its origins trace back to 19th-century Germany and a Lutheran pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern.
In 1839, Wichern ran a mission school called the Rauhes Haus in Hamburg for impoverished and orphaned children. As Christmas approached, the children would incessantly ask how many days were left until Christmas. To give them a visual and engaging way to count down, Wichern crafted a large wooden ring from an old cartwheel. He placed 20 small red candles and four large white candles on it. Each weekday, he would light a small red candle, and on each of the four Sundays of Advent, he would light one of the large white candles.
The tradition was a success. It provided a beautiful, tangible way to manage the children’s anticipation and teach them about the coming of Christ. Over time, the practice was adopted by other German churches and families, who simplified it to the more manageable four (or sometimes five) candles we see today. From this simple act of pastoral care, one of Christianity’s most beloved traditions was born.
The Four Flames of Anticipation: Meaning of the Advent Candles
While the wreath itself sets the stage, the candles are the main actors in this weekly drama of anticipation. The traditional colors are three purple (or violet) candles and one pink (or rose) candle. Each candle has a specific theme that guides prayers and reflections for that week, creating a cumulative spiritual experience.
Week One: The Prophecy Candle (Hope)
The first candle to be lit is purple. This is the Candle of Hope. It reminds us of the centuries of waiting and longing the Jewish people endured as they awaited their promised Messiah. This candle symbolizes the prophecies of the Old Testament that foretold Jesus’s coming.
When we light this first candle, we step into that ancient hope. We remember the words of prophets like Isaiah, who declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). This flame represents the confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises, just as He did with the birth of Jesus. It’s a hope that sustains us not only in the waiting for Christmas but in the trials of our own lives.
Week Two: The Bethlehem Candle (Faith & Peace)
The second purple candle is the Candle of Faith or, in some traditions, the Candle of Peace. It is often called the Bethlehem Candle, reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s arduous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Their journey was an act of profound faith, trusting in God’s plan even when it was difficult and uncertain.
Lighting this candle invites us to reflect on our own journey of faith. It also symbolizes the peace that Christ, the “Prince of Peace,” brings to the world. It recalls the preparations made to receive the Messiah, not just in the physical journey to Bethlehem, but in the preparation of a stable and a manger—a humble welcome for a king. This candle encourages us to prepare our own hearts to be a peaceful and welcoming place for Christ.
Week Three: The Shepherd’s Candle (Joy)
The third candle is the one that stands out: it’s pink, or rose-colored. This is the Candle of Joy, also known as the Shepherd’s Candle. It represents the joy of the world at the imminent birth of Jesus. It recalls the moment when the angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields, announcing “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
A Splash of Pink: The Significance of Gaudete Sunday
The shift from solemn purple to joyful pink is intentional and marks a specific point in the Advent season: Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “Rejoice,” and it comes from the entrance antiphon for the Mass on the third Sunday of Advent: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4-5).
This Sunday serves as a break in the otherwise penitential and reflective mood of Advent. It’s a moment to acknowledge that the waiting is almost over. The joy can no longer be contained. The pink candle is a visual cue that our preparation is nearing its joyful conclusion, reminding us that the ultimate purpose of our waiting is to experience the overwhelming joy of Christ’s arrival.
Week Four: The Angel’s Candle (Love)
The final purple candle, lit on the last Sunday of Advent, is the Candle of Love. It is also called the Angel’s Candle, in remembrance of the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary and the host of angels who proclaimed Christ’s birth. This candle represents the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity: the gift of His only Son.
John 3:16 encapsulates this theme perfectly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” As this final candle is lit, its flame joins the others to cast the brightest glow yet, symbolizing that the greatest of all gifts—love—has come to conquer the darkness.
The Optional Fifth Light: The Christ Candle
Many Advent wreaths include a fifth candle, typically a large white candle, placed in the center. This is the Christ Candle. It remains unlit throughout the four weeks of Advent. Then, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it is lit.
Its brilliant white flame symbolizes the purity of Christ and His arrival as the Light of the World. When the Christ Candle is finally lit, the Advent wreath is complete. The period of waiting is over, and the promise has been fulfilled. The light that was prophesied, prepared for, rejoiced in, and born of love has finally come into the world.
Charting Salvation History: The Jesse Tree
While the Advent wreath focuses on the themes of the season, the Jesse Tree tells the story. It’s a unique and deeply meaningful tradition that visually traces the lineage of Jesus, from creation all the way to His birth. It’s essentially an Advent calendar of salvation history.
From the Stump of Jesse: The Biblical Roots
The name “Jesse Tree” comes from a prophecy in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Jesse was the father of King David, and from David’s lineage, the Messiah was prophesied to come. The “stump” of Jesse represents the fallen fortunes of David’s line, yet from this seemingly dead stump, God brings forth a new “shoot”—Jesus Christ.
The Jesse Tree, therefore, is a family tree of sorts, illustrating the major figures and events in the Old Testament that paved the way for Jesus’s arrival.
A Living Story: How the Jesse Tree Works
The tradition involves decorating a tree (which can be a real branch, a felt banner, or a small artificial tree) with a new ornament each day of Advent. Each ornament symbolizes a specific person or story from the Old Testament that points toward the coming of the Savior.
Families or churches often read the corresponding Bible story as they hang the ornament. This practice transforms the Advent season into a daily lesson in biblical history, connecting the dots between the Old and New Testaments. It demonstrates that the birth of Jesus wasn’t an isolated event but the culmination of a long, divinely orchestrated plan.
Common Jesse Tree Ornaments and Their Stories
The specific ornaments can vary, but they typically follow a chronological path through the Old Testament. Here are some of the most common symbols and the stories they represent:
| Ornament Symbol | Story Represented | Biblical Reference |
|---|---|---|
| The Earth | Creation | Genesis 1 |
| Apple with a Serpent | Adam and Eve, The Fall | Genesis 3 |
| Ark with a Rainbow | Noah and the Flood | Genesis 6-9 |
| A Tent or Stars | Abraham’s Call and Promise | Genesis 12, 15 |
| A Ram | Abraham and Isaac | Genesis 22 |
| A Ladder | Jacob’s Dream | Genesis 28 |
| A Colorful Coat | Joseph | Genesis 37 |
| Tablets of Stone | Moses and the Ten Commandments | Exodus 20 |
| A Horn (Shofar) | The Fall of Jericho | Joshua 6 |
| A Crown | King David | 1 & 2 Samuel |
| A Temple | King Solomon | 1 Kings 6 |
| A Star of David | The lineage of Jesus | Matthew 1 |
| A Dove | The Prophet Isaiah | Isaiah 11, 61 |
| A Heart | The New Covenant (Jeremiah) | Jeremiah 31 |
| A Lion and a Lamb | The Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah) | Isaiah 11:6 |
| A Manger or a Star | The Birth of Jesus | Luke 2 |
By the time Christmas arrives, the tree is fully decorated, providing a beautiful and comprehensive visual summary of how God worked through history to bring His Son into the world.
Marking the Days: The Advent Calendar
Of all the Advent traditions, the Advent calendar is by far the most mainstream and commercialized. Yet, its origins are just as rooted in faithful anticipation as the wreath and the Jesse Tree. It is, at its core, a tool for children (and adults) to tangibly experience the passage of time during the waiting season.
From Chalk Lines to Chocolate: The History of the Advent Calendar
Like the Advent wreath, the calendar has its roots in 19th-century Germany. German Lutherans began the practice of marking the days of Advent in various simple ways. Some families would draw a chalk line on the door for every day in December until Christmas Eve. Others would light a new candle or hang a small religious picture each day.
The first known printed Advent calendar is credited to Gerhard Lang. As a child, his mother had made him a calendar by attaching 24 small candies (wibele) to a piece of cardboard to help him count down the days. In 1908, as an adult and a partner in a printing office, Lang produced a version with 24 small, colored pictures that could be affixed to a cardboard background. A few years later, he created the first calendar with the little doors that we know and love today.
The tradition remained largely a German one until after World War II, when American soldiers stationed in Germany brought the charming calendars home. Their popularity exploded, and they soon evolved to include not just pictures, but scriptures, small toys, and, most famously, pieces of chocolate. While many modern calendars have lost their religious focus, their fundamental purpose remains the same: to build excitement and mark the days until the great celebration.
A Daily Reminder of the Coming Joy
Whether it holds a piece of chocolate, a Bible verse, or a small toy, the daily ritual of opening a door on an Advent calendar serves a spiritual purpose. It carves out a small moment of intentional reflection each day. It’s a physical act that says, “Today, we are one day closer.” It helps to keep the anticipation alive amidst the chaos of holiday shopping and preparations, reminding us that we are not just waiting for a day of presents, but for the arrival of the greatest gift of all.
Other Powerful Advent Symbols and Their Meanings
Beyond the major traditions of the wreath, Jesse Tree, and calendar, several other symbols enrich the Advent season.
The Christingle: A World in an Orange
The Christingle is a symbolic object used primarily in Moravian and Anglican traditions, especially in the United Kingdom. The name means “Christ Light,” and it’s a powerful, multi-sensory teaching tool. It consists of:
- An Orange: Representing the world.
- A Red Ribbon: Wrapped around the orange, symbolizing the love and blood of Christ that encircles the world.
- Dried Fruits and/or Sweets: Skewered on four cocktail sticks and pushed into the orange, representing God’s good gifts and the fruits of the earth from the four seasons.
- A Lit Candle: Placed in the top of the orange, representing Jesus as the Light of the World.
Making and lighting a Christingle is a popular activity for children, as it provides a simple, tangible way to understand the core message of the Gospel.
The Star of Bethlehem: A Guiding Light
The star is a quintessential symbol of the Christmas season, but its significance begins in Advent. It represents the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi, or wise men, followed on their long journey to find the newborn king. It’s a symbol of guidance and divine direction. Just as the star led the Magi to Jesus, we are reminded that God provides light to guide us on our own spiritual journeys. The star often appears at the top of Christmas trees and in nativity scenes, a constant reminder of the celestial sign that announced the arrival of hope.
The Colors of the Season: Purple, Pink, and White
The liturgical colors of Advent are deeply symbolic and set the mood for the season.
- Purple (or Violet): This is the primary color of Advent. It’s a color of royalty, signifying the coming of the King of Kings. It is also a color of penitence and preparation. It calls us to a period of reflection, prayer, and turning our hearts toward God, much like the season of Lent.
- Pink (or Rose): As discussed, this color is used on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) to symbolize joy. It’s a visual break from the solemnity of purple, reminding us that our preparation is leading to a joyful celebration.
- White: The color of purity, light, victory, and celebration. It is the color of the Christ Candle and is the primary color of the Christmas season itself, which begins on Christmas Eve.
The Enduring Spirit of Advent: Waiting in a World That Won’t
Perhaps the most profound, yet intangible, symbol of Advent is the very act of waiting. In a culture of instant gratification, where we can have almost anything we want delivered in a day, the discipline of waiting is counter-cultural. The secular “holiday season” encourages us to rush, to buy, to celebrate from the day after Thanksgiving.
Advent invites us to do the opposite. It asks us to be still. To be quiet. To embrace the anticipation and not rush past it. It teaches us that preparation is not a chore to be hurried through, but a vital part of the experience itself. The darkness of the season, with its long nights, is not something to be feared but a canvas against which the coming light will shine all the brighter.
These symbols—the wreath, the candles, the trees—are not ends in themselves. They are signposts on a journey. They are anchors in a season of holy waiting, helping us to slow down and prepare our hearts, not just for a holiday, but for the transformative arrival of God in our world and in our lives.
Conclusion: Unwrapping the True Meaning of the Season
From a German pastor’s clever solution for impatient children to a prophetic vision from the book of Isaiah, the symbols of Advent are woven from threads of history, theology, and deep human experience. They are far more than festive trinkets. The growing light of the Advent wreath, the historical march of the Jesse Tree, and the daily ritual of the Advent calendar all serve a single, unified purpose: to draw us deeper into the mystery and wonder of the Incarnation.
They remind us that waiting is not empty time; it is fertile ground for hope to grow. As you light the candles, hang the ornaments, or open the little doors this season, you are participating in a story that has been told for millennia—a story of darkness and light, of promise and fulfillment, of a world waiting in eager expectation for its King.
