Seeing God in the Colors of Advent

This look at understanding the Advent Candle Color Meaning includes the church’s reasons for including the pastel hues and compares it with modern color psychology to deepen your understanding. Each color is then beautifully paired with thematic scriptures for grounding and focus during the busy Christmas season.

 

[bctt tweet=”Celebrating Advent provides built-in rest & mindfulness in the tiny moments as we celebrate the overarching promise of Christmas! Understanding the color meaning adds depth and gratitude, keeping you grounded all season long!” username=”rachelmayew”]

 

 

why Celebrate Advent?

First off, if Advent is new to you and you’re worrying that it will be another item on your list of obligations in what can already teeter between The Most Wonderful Time and The Most Exhausting Time of year, fear not.

Celebrating Advent is actually a way of building in rest and mindfulness in the tiny moments as we celebrate the big, overarching promise of Christmas!

Advent means “coming” or “arrival” and speaks to the longing felt by the generations awaiting the Messiah. Looking back at prophecy builds our faith in God to keep every promise. We also get to rejoice over the arrival of Jesus and revel in God’s miraculous love and mercy. Observing Advent encourages patience and generosity as we remember that Jesus, divested of glory and title, poured himself out in love on our behalf.

While we have already received the gift of Christ, we can feel a connection to those early generations as we now wait for the second coming of Christ.

There is a familiar and deeply rooted hope that faithfully presents itself this time of year.  It is a longing for peace within our hearts and the hearts of our families, a longing for all wars to cease, and a return to love and joy for all people.

[bctt tweet=”This is the hope that pulsates through us. Whether we call out Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, I believe the palpable energy of the season is God inviting everyone to take a second look, shake off any chains, and be revived.” username=”rachelmayew”]

This is the promise of Christmas!

For the High and Exalted One
who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed.” ~ Isaiah 57:15 (HCSB)

 

 

 

What are the symbols of advent?

The Advent wreath is probably the best-known symbol of Advent. The evergreen branches represent eternal life and the circular shape speaks to God’s unending love for humanity.

Four candles, three lavender, and one pink are placed around the Advent wreath. Each week an additional candle is lit until the four-week observation is complete. Some also include a white candle in the center, which is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

 

What do the four candles of the Advent wreath represent?

In addition to the symbolism of the evergreen wreath, the four candles of the wreath have their own meaning.

The first, second, and fourth candles in the Advent wreath are lavender in color.

• Week 1 is called the Prophet’s Candle and signifies Hope.
• Week 2 is called Bethlehem’s Candle and signifies Faith in the Wait.
• Week 4 is called the Angel’s Candle and signifies the Peace celebrated by the host of angels who announced Jesus’s arrival to the shepherds.

The third candle in the Advent wreath is pink in color.

• Week 3 is called the Shepherd’s Candle and it signifies the joy they felt upon receiving the good news of Jesus’s birth.

The fifth candle, centered in the middle of the wreath is white.

• The final candle is called Christ’s Candle as it represents the birth of the Messiah.

 

Advent CANDLE Color Meaning of Lavender

Lavender is the traditional color of Advent. It represents repentance and clearing of the heart for the arrival of Jesus. It welcomes divine royalty and rich spirituality.

In addition to the Advent color meaning of Lavender, we can draw additional meaning from nature and color psychology. Lavender in nature has a coveted, celebrated significance with flowers such as orchids and lilacs, along with the Lavender plant’s own healing and peace-giving properties. These flowers are seen as precious and also delicate.

Aligned with the message of Advent, Lavender speaks to our fragile nature being healed in Love and the celebration of our holy adoption. Opposed to the gospel, Lavender can signify a loss of hope compounded with feelings of powerlessness and apathy.

 

Seeing God in the Advent Candle Color Meaning of Lavender

Use these verses to celebrate the Hope we have in God’s Faithfulness and be strengthened during Weeks 1, 2, and 4. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45

who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. ~Romans 5:24-25 (Read More….)

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ~2 Peter 3:9

Advent CANDLE color meaning of Pink

The third week of Advent is called “Gaudette Week”. It is the week where the focus transitions from longing and repentance to that of joy, thus the marked color change! The candle is pink because Rose is the liturgical color of Joy.

The candle itself is called the Shepherd’s Candle and is named for the joy they felt upon hearing the Messiah had come for all people, regardless of social status or wealth.

In addition to the Advent color meaning of Pink, we deepen our understanding by taking a look at color psychology. There, pink is a tender color representing love for self and others, inner peace, and approachability. How incredible!

Aligned with the message of Advent, pink signifies not just the joy, but also confident love and peace found in our approachable King Jesus. When opposed to the gospel, pink pulls at feelings of weakness and points to superficial or naive sweetness.

 

Seeing God in the Advent Candle Color Meaning of Pink

Use these verses to celebrate the Joy of Your Salvation and the tender approachability of Christ during Week 3!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~ Luke 2:10-11

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.                ~Psalm 16:11

I am free to be glad in all of my days! ~ PSALM 118:24

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.         ~Colossians 1:11-12

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

 

Advent CANDLE Color Meaning of White

White in Advent represents the light and purity of Christ our Savior and the extension of righteousness to those that believe.

For this reason, the final candle is called Christ’s Candle. It is lit on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.

In addition to the Advent color meaning of White, we see a mirrored meaning in color psychology. There, white signifies a fresh start or new beginning. White also indicates clarity and the decluttering or removal of obstacles.

Aligned with the meaning of Advent, White signifies the light of Christ which shines in the dark and a fresh start with our Savior. Opposed to the gospel, white may feel harsh or blinding, causing us to look away from a need within ourselves that we’re not ready to surrender.

 

Seeing God in the Advent Candle Color Meaning of White:

Use these verses to celebrate the Presence of God, Sanctification, and Spiritual Growth on Christmas Eve or Day.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ~Matthew 1:23

Though He was in the form of God, He chose not to cling to equality with God; But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new; a servant in form and a man indeed. ~ Philippians 2:6-7

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the Morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.          ~ Isaiah 44:22

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.          ~John 1:4-5

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ~John 8:12

Understanding these Advent color meanings deepens our appreciation of the celebration! Pin this post and use these verses to stay grounded in a busy season!