How Many Candles Are on an Advent Wreath?
Most Advent wreaths have four candles. One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, then another is added on each of the following Sundays. By the fourth Sunday, all four candles are lit together as Christmas draws near.
Many families and churches also place a fifth white candle in the center. This is often called the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The exact arrangement and colors can vary from one church tradition to another, but the rhythm remains the same: light grows as the celebration of Christ's birth approaches.
What the Wreath Represents
The circular wreath has no beginning or end, making it a natural picture of God's enduring love and the eternal life offered through Jesus. Evergreens are often used because they remain green through winter, a reminder of life and hope in a season when much of the world appears dormant.
The candles bring another layer of meaning. Their light points to Christ as the light of the world and gives families a simple way to pause, pray, and prepare their hearts during Advent.
What Do the Four Advent Candles Mean?
The themes of the four candles are not identical in every tradition. A common pattern is hope, peace, joy, and love. Other churches connect the candles with the prophets, Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the angels. The third candle is often rose-colored and is lit on the Sunday that emphasizes joy.
Some wreaths use three purple candles and one rose candle. Others use four blue or white candles, while some families choose colors that fit their own church practice. The colors matter less than the shared act of waiting with expectation for the coming of Christ.
Lighting the Advent Wreath at Home
There is no complicated formula. Begin on the first Sunday of Advent by lighting one candle, reading a short passage of Scripture, and taking a moment to pray. Each Sunday, light the candles from the weeks before and add the next one. By Christmas, the wreath becomes a visible reminder of the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Jesus.
For a fuller introduction to Advent traditions, see this overview of Advent and the wreath.