The Advent Wreath: A Symbol of Hope, Joy, Faith, and Peace

As a teenager growing up in a Lutheran church in Iowa, I enjoyed serving as an acolyte, which is a person who lights the candles at the front of the church as the service begins and extinguishes them at the end. It was a formal process, including wearing a white robe and carrying a 3-foot-long polished brass candlelighter pole with a long wick on one end and, when rotated, a bell-shaped snuffer to put out the candle flame.

I eagerly anticipated the Christmas season, when in addition to the candles on the platform, I came down to a table on the main level and joined the pastor around an Advent wreath. As he read a passage from Scripture, I would light the candle corresponding to that Sunday, followed by the congregation singing a hymn. 

Spanning the four Sundays before Christmas, the Advent (“arrival”) season celebrates the coming birth of Jesus. While still observed in more liturgical churches, the Advent wreath has largely disappeared from evangelical churches, and with it some great symbolism has been lost.

The tradition of an Advent wreath began in the 19th century when a Lutheran pastor in Germany told the story of Christmas by lighting a candle each Sunday in Advent. The custom eventually spread to other churches, using candles placed in an evergreen wreath symbolizing God’s never-ending love, speaking of Him who has no beginning or end. Four candles are in the wreath, plus a large white candle in the middle. Sometimes all the candles in the wreath are the same color, sometimes three purple and one pink; but no matter the colors, the story is rich.

“With all of the candles now burning, we are reminded of hope, faith, joy, peace, and most of all, the birth of the Christ child.”

Over the years, traditions have developed using various colors and symbolism, but the Advent wreath is a powerful tool to remind us of the stunning event we celebrate at Christmas. Starting four Sundays before Christmas Day, a candle is lit and then each of the next three Sundays an additional one is lit, until the wreath is filled with candlelight except for the center candle, which is lit on Christmas Day.

Hope

The first candle lit is the Prophecy candle: It represents hope.

For centuries, the Old Testament prophets told the people a Messiah was coming. Their message was to not lose hope: God hasn’t forgotten you; He is sending the One to redeem His people. During difficult days, keep looking up and looking forward to the promised Messiah.

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

The pleading lyrics of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" fit perfectly with the Prophecy candle. This side of the birth of Christ, we know the Messiah. But let the thought of hundreds, even thousands of years of waiting, wondering, and hoping invade your head and heart.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Faith

The second candle lit is the Bethlehem candle: It represents faith.

For Joseph and Mary, the thought that they would be central characters in the coming of the Messiah took stunning faith, as did the journey to Bethlehem. The question “How could this be?” was their constant companion.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:30-34

A familiar, gentle carol tells the story of the culmination of the promise, the message of faith realized. The faith of Mary and Joseph believing the angels was nothing short of astounding. In the most unlikely location, the long-awaited One arrived. Can you picture yourself watching the scene unfold?

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The Everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

Joy

The third candle lit is the Shepherd candle: It represents joy.

Men and boys, taking care of sheep, likely waited for the coming of the Messiah as much or more than anyone else. A humble job, generally boring in the night, was anything but dull that night. To think they were the first ones to be told the good news: What a stunning privilege!

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:8-11

As you sing the familiar carol, let the words resonate within you, picturing yourself in the field that night. What would you think? What would you feel? How would it impact you if you were there?

The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they were keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

Peace

The fourth candle lit is the Angel candle: It represents peace.

Luke tells us that there was one angel who first got the attention of the shepherds, but news like this couldn’t be restricted to one messenger! Heaven burst forth with light, and countless angels joined the choir.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased”
Luke 2:13-14

As much as we think a children’s Christmas choir dressed up as angels is adorable, shift gears and ponder the unrestrained excitement of innumerable heavenly beings shouting the news. Can you sense the excitement?

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"

The common theme in the stories and candles is the anticipation, joy and surprise that each event brings. The prophets knowing He was coming, Mary and Joseph faithfully following instructions, the shepherds stunned and delighted, and the angels exclaiming in unrestrained shouts.

Christ

But there is one candle left, the most important one: the Christ candle.

Lit on Christmas morning, the white candle in the middle of the wreath signifies the day has finally arrived! The day all children and adults so eagerly anticipate! The statement in the Bible is so simple and straightforward, but it is the event when everything in the world changed.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7

This is the time when we shout for joy with all our might, raising our voices in adoration, awe, and praise. Who can help but sing?

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing

With all of the candles now burning, we are reminded of hope, faith, joy, peace, and most of all, the birth of the Christ child.

Taking just a few minutes each Sunday leading up to Christmas, an Advent wreath can help bring into focus the real story. Even if you miss the first Sunday or two on the calendar, start when you can and make a schedule that works for you, culminating on Christmas Day. You can purchase ready-made Advent wreath kits and candles; but, especially with children, it might be more meaningful to make your own. However and whenever it is done, it can be a significant way to anticipate and celebrate Christmas and it might even become a new tradition in your home.

Chris Tornquist

Chris is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL (M.Div.) and has served as a pastor in churches in the Midwest. Chris and his wife Marty have been married for nearly 40 years. Chris currently teaches the Fundamentals of the Faith class and serves in the Prayer Ministry here at Faith Bible Church.

View Resources by Chris Tornquist