Advent: The Christ Candle
The Meaning of the Christ Candle and Advent
Advent is a season of waiting, anticipation, and hope, marking the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s a time when Christians prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus Christ, both in remembrance of His first arrival in Bethlehem and in hopeful expectation of His second coming. A central part of this preparation is the Advent wreath, a simple yet profound symbol, and at the heart of it lies the Christ Candle.
The Christ Candle is traditionally placed in the center of the Advent wreath, which is made up of four candles representing the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each of these candles symbolizes a different theme: hope, peace, joy, and love. But the Christ Candle, typically white and placed in the center, stands as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world. It’s lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, celebrating the arrival of Christ, who came to bring light into the darkness of the world.
The symbolism of the Christ Candle points to Jesus' role as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is called the "Light of the World" (John 8:12), and lighting the Christ Candle is a way of acknowledging that in His birth, the true light has come to shine in our lives.
For many, lighting the Christ Candle is a powerful moment of reflection, offering an opportunity to pause in the busy holiday season and focus on the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, who came to bring peace, joy, and salvation to all. In a season marked by lights, the Christ Candle stands as the brightest light of all, reminding us of the hope and love that entered the world on that first Christmas night.