Typically, three of the four Advent candles are purple—the first, second and fourth ones. The first candle, or "Prophet's Candle," symbolizes hope. The color means royalty, repentance and fasting.

For many people who observe Christian traditions, Advent is a special season that begins on Dec. 1 and lasts until Dec. 24, leading up to the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth at Christmas. As ...

This year, Advent starts on Sunday, Dec. 3, and will encompass four weeks, with each week dedicated to a specific theme represented by the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath. The themes ...

Advent 2024 starts on Sunday. Dec. 1. Here's what Christians do during Advent, how long it lasts and how it's different from Christmas.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent — three candles are purple, and one is a rose color. The purple represents prayer, penance and preparation for the coming of Christ.

On the third Sunday of Advent, it is traditional to celebrate Joy with the “Shepherds” candle. This third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and a literal translation here is to “rejoice.” ...

Advent begins Sunday and for Christians all over the world, it is a season of preparation. Perhaps you've seen or heard of people lighting candles during this season as they look forward to ...

While the tradition of Advent candle lighting is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Nordic countries today, its prominence is evident in anglophone countries. The Nordic tradition of lighting ...

Advent wreaths and candles are more than just pretty Christmas decorations. The arrangement of an evergreen wreath with four candles (five, if you choose to feature one for Christmas Day itself) ...

Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches and have four candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent. Saturday, June 21, 2025 A service of EWTN News ...