The Advent Wreath is a Christian symbol full of meaning. It is designed to help us spiritually prepare during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, known as the Advent season. This wreath is made up of a ring of green branches and four candles lit one per week, marking our wait for the birth of Jesus.
Each element has a deep meaning that invites us to reflect and live this time with hope and faith. In some wreaths, a fifth white candle is included in the center, lit on Christmas Day as a reminder that Christ, the world’s light, has arrived.
Beyond its simplicity, the Advent Wreath accompanies us on this journey of preparation, helping us remember that the true essence of Christmas is the encounter with Jesus.
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.
What does the Advent Wreath represent?
- The circular shape: The circle has no beginning or end, symbolizing eternity and God’s infinite love. It also reminds us of Christ’s promise of eternal life.
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The green branches: Represent hope and life. They invite us to trust that, even in difficult times, the promise of salvation remains alive.
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The candles: Each one has a special meaning and is lit in order, one per week:
- First candle (hope): Represents the confidence in waiting for God’s promises.
- Second candle (faith or love): Encourages us to reflect on our relationship with God and others.
- Third candle (joy): Pink in color, symbolizes the joy of knowing that Jesus’ arrival is near.
- Fourth candle (peace): Prepares us to receive Christ, the Prince of Peace.
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The fifth candle (optional): Known as the Christ candle, it is lit on Christmas to represent the light of Jesus, which illuminates the world.
Spiritual importance of the Advent Wreath
Prayers to light the Advent Wreath
1. First Sunday
Sing a hymn to begin praying the prayers to light the first candle of the Advent Wreath. Here are some recommendations.
Guide: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge before God that we are sinners.
All: I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Reading from the holy gospel according to Mark 13:33-37:
“Watch, be alert, and pray, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, each with his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore, stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
(Brief pause for meditation and reflection)
Guide: To watch means to be attentive, to go out to meet the Lord, who wants to enter, this year more than the last, into our existence, to give it total meaning and save us.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE.
Guide: We light this light, Lord, like someone who lights their lamp to go out, in the night, to meet the friend who is already coming. In this first week of Advent, we want to rise to wait for you prepared, to receive you with joy. Many shadows surround us. Many flattery lull us to sleep.
We want to be awake and vigilant, because you bring the clearest light, the deepest peace, and the truest joy. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
United in one voice, let us say:
All: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name;
thy Kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
CONCLUSION:
Guide: Come, Lord, let your face shine upon us.
All: And we shall be saved. Amen.
2. Second Sunday
Sing a song to begin praying the prayers to light the second candle of the Advent Wreath. Here are some recommendations.
Guide: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge before God that we are sinners.
All: I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Reading from the second letter of Saint Peter 3:13-14:
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”
(Brief pause for meditation and reflection)
Guide: What will change in me, in us this Advent? Will it be noticeable that we truly believe in Christ?
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE.
Guide: The prophets kept the hope of Israel alive. We, as a symbol, light these two candles. The old trunk is sprouting, it trembles because God has been sown in our flesh…
May each of us, Lord, open our lives to you so that you may sprout, so that you may bloom, so that you may be born and keep hope alive in our hearts. Come quickly, Lord! Come, Savior!
United in one voice, let us say:
All: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name;
thy Kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
CONCLUSION:
Guide: Come, Lord, let your face shine upon us.
All: And we shall be saved. Amen.
3. Third Sunday
Sing a hymn to begin praying the prayers to light the third candle of the Advent Wreath. Here are some recommendations.
Guide: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge before God that we are sinners.
All: I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.
Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Reading from the first letter to the Thessalonians 5:23:
“May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Brief pause for meditation and reflection)
Guide: Today’s people will not see Christ in person this Christmas. But they will see the Church, they will see us. Will there be more light, more love, more hope reflected in our lives so that they can believe in Him?
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE.
Guide: A light has shone in the darkness, a voice has cried out in the desert. The good news is announced: The Lord is coming! Prepare your ways, for He is near! Adorn your soul as a bride adorns herself on her wedding day. The messenger is coming! John the Baptist is not the light, but the one who announces the light.
When we light these three candles, each of us wants to be your torch to shine, a flame to warm. Come, Lord, to save us, envelop us in your light, warm us in your love!
United in one voice, let us say:
All: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name;
thy Kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
CONCLUSION:
Guide: Come, Lord, let your face shine upon us.
All: And we shall be saved. Amen.
4. Fourth Sunday
Sing a hymn to begin praying the prayers to light the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. Here are some recommendations.
Guide: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: “Who made heaven and earth”
LITURGY OF THE WORD:
First reading: Rm 13:13-14
“Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Guide: “The Word of the Lord”
All: “Thanks be to God”
(Brief pause for meditation and reflection)
Second reading: 2 Thess. 1:6-7
“It is just in the eyes of God to repay with relief to you who are afflicted, and to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, among the acclamations of his holy people and the admiration of all believers.”
Guide: “The Word of the Lord”
All: “Thanks be to God”
(Brief pause for meditation and reflection)
Guide: “Come, Lord, and do not delay.
All: “Forgive the sins of your people”.
LIGHTING OF THE FOUR CANDLES.
Guide: “Let us bless the Lord”
All: (make the sign of the cross while saying:) “Thanks be to God”
HUMILITY AND GLORY
The Birth of Jesus
Guide: Reading from the Gospel according to Luke (2:6-7)
“And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Guide: “The Word of the Lord”
All: “We praise you, Lord”
MEDITATION:
The Virgin and Saint Joseph, with their faith, hope, and charity, emerge victorious in the trial. No rejection, cold, darkness, or discomfort can separate them from the love of Christ who is born. They are the blessed ones of God who receive Him. God finds no better place than that manger, for there was the immaculate love that receives Him.
We join the Virgin and Saint Joseph with a sincere desire to renounce everything that prevents Jesus from being born in our hearts.
Time of silence / Time of intercession
Our Father / Hail Mary.
FINAL PRAYER:
Guide: Pour forth, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.
In conclusion, the Advent Wreath is not just a Christmas decoration but a powerful reminder of our faith and hope in the coming of Christ. Each lit candle invites us to reflect, strengthen our relationship with God, and prepare our hearts to receive the Savior. This symbol encourages us to live Advent with purpose, renewing our joy and trust in the promise of salvation. As we contemplate its growing light, we remember that Jesus is the true reason for this season, the gift that gives meaning to our lives and guides us toward the whole celebration of Christmas.
