As a Christian tradition, Velas de Adviento (the Advent wreath) contains the four Advent candles. The candles represent the coming of Jesus as a symbolism of light in the darkness.
ORIGIN OF Velas de Adviento
Each Sunday one candle is lit until all four are fully lit. As Christmas approaches, each candle brings a little more light into the darkness. Sometimes a white candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas to symbolize that Jesus is with us. This can be called the Christ candle.
All candles lit before Christmas represent an aspect of preparation during the season of Advent.
During the first week a purple candle is lit. Purple is the main color associated with Advent. In the Catholic Church it symbolizes penance, preparation and sacrifice. Throughout the first week of Advent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus with hope and anticipation are remembered.
Successively, three other purple candles are placed to represent hope, faith and peace. Likewise, a rose is lit to symbolize joy.
CURIOSITIES OF Velas de Adviento
- Advent wreaths and candles are more than just pretty Christmas decorations. The arrangement of a wreath of green leaves with four candles or five, if you choose to place one on Christmas Day itself, has a special meaning. It is used to focus attention on the upcoming celebration of the birth of Jesus.
- The most common Advent candle tradition uses the colors purple, pink and white. However, some use only red or white. Occasionally, purple is substituted for blue.