SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Christians all over the world are in the midst of the Advent season. The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ meaning “coming” or “visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.

Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. During Advent, Christians prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. They remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and their own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as they look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, Christians also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.

The Advent wreath which comprises of four candles on a wreath of evergreen leaves is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolise the eternity of God. In some churches, four purple candles, one for each week are used with one larger white candle in the middle as the Christ candle. Other churches prefer three purple or blue candles with one candle being rose or pink, to represent joy.

While the Advent wreath with its four candles did bring light to churches, it was not to illuminate the interior as much as to illuminate our lives and symbolise the coming of Christ. The Advent wreath began in the time of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. During each Sunday of the Advent season, Christians focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Christians are called upon to incorporate these four virtues in their lives symbolised by the four candles during the four Sundays of Advent which will eventually lead them to Jesus Christ symbolised by the white candle in the middle.

Christians are expected to live each day of their lives in hope. In hope of a better tomorrow and finally in hope of the second coming of Jesus Christ, Christians have to live in joy and never possess a grumpy face. Love, symbolised by the third candle is at the centre of Christian teachings. Christians are also called to live in peace and harmony with their fellow beings which is symbolised by the fourth candle.

The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world. The Christmas season begins at sundown on December 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (January 6). This period is popularly referred to as "the twelve days of Christmas."