The three colors of advent are full of meaning

If you've ever noticed that the colors of Advent candles come in three main shades, you may have wondered why. Indeed, each of the three candle colors represents a specific element of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Advent, after all, is the season of planning for Christmas.

During these four weeks, an Advent wreath is traditionally used to symbolize aspects of spiritual preparation that lead to the birth or coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The garland, typically a circular garland of evergreen branches, is a symbol of eternity and endless love. Five candles are placed on the crown and one is lit every Sunday as part of the Advent services.

These three main colors of Advent are meaningful. Enhance your appreciation of the season as you learn what each color symbolizes and how it is used on the Advent wreath.

Purple or blue
Purple (or viola) has traditionally been the main color of Advent. This hue symbolizes repentance and fasting, as denying food is one way in which Christians show their devotion to God. Purple is also the color of Christ's royalty and sovereignty, also known as the "King of kings" . So purple in this case demonstrates the anticipation and reception of the future king celebrated during Advent.

Today, many churches have started using blue instead of purple as a means of distinguishing Advent from Lent. (During Lent, Christians wear purple because of its ties to royalty, as well as its connection with pain and, therefore, torture of the crucifixion.) Others use blue to indicate the color of the night sky or the waters of the new creation in Genesis 1.

The first candle in the Advent wreath, the candle of prophecy, or candle of hope, is purple. The second, called the Bethlehem candle, or the preparation candle, is also purple. Likewise, the fourth color of the Advent candle is purple. It's called the angel candle, or the love candle.

Pink
Pink (or rosa) is also one of the colors of Advent used on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. The rose or the rose represents joy or joy and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and towards celebration.

The third candle in the Advent wreath, called the shepherd's candle or joy candle, is pink in color.

White
White is the color of Advent that represents purity and light. Christ is the pure sinless, immaculate Savior. It is the light that enters a dark and dying world. Furthermore, those who receive Jesus Christ as savior are washed from their sins and made whiter than snow.

Finally, Christ's candle is the fifth Advent candle, positioned in the center of the crown. The color of this Advent candle is white.

Preparing spiritually by focusing on Advent colors in the weeks leading up to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas and for parents who teach their children the true meaning of Christmas.