Advent, the period of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is observed by Christians around the world in the weeks leading up to Christmas. A significant tradition during Advent is the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath. This tradition, while rooted in Christian liturgical practices, is rich with symbolism that extends beyond simple decoration. The choice of colors for the candles—typically purple and pink—holds deep spiritual meaning, offering insights into the season’s themes of repentance, joy, and hope. In this article, we explore the reasons behind the use of purple and pink candles during Advent, examining their biblical, historical, and liturgical significance.
Introduction to the Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Advent season. It consists of a circular arrangement of evergreen branches, typically with four candles placed around the circle. Each candle represents one of the four weeks of Advent, marking a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ. Traditionally, three of the candles are purple, while one is pink. In many churches and homes, a new candle is lit each Sunday, with a final candle lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to signal the arrival of Christ.
The Advent wreath is not only a beautiful symbol of the season, but it also serves as a reminder to Christians of the spiritual journey of Advent: a time of waiting, reflection, and anticipation. But why are the candles specifically purple and pink? To understand this, we must delve into the biblical and liturgical symbolism behind these colors.
The Meaning of Purple in Advent
Symbol of Repentance and Reflection
The color purple is deeply rooted in Christian tradition, particularly in relation to the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent. In both of these periods, purple is used to symbolize penance, repentance, and reflection. Advent, though it focuses on the hopeful anticipation of Christ’s birth, is still a time for Christians to prepare their hearts through prayer, repentance, and self-examination.
Purple is traditionally associated with royalty, and in the context of Advent, it is a color that evokes the anticipation of the coming of a King—Jesus Christ. The use of purple candles on three of the four Sundays of Advent serves as a reminder that Christ’s birth is not merely a celebration of a historical event, but also a spiritual occasion that calls for introspection and spiritual readiness. It is an invitation for believers to prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, not only as the infant in the manger but as the King of Kings who will one day return in glory.
A Time of Fasting and Prayer
In the early Christian Church, Advent was a time of fasting and prayer. Although it is less commonly observed as a time of strict fasting today, many Christians still view Advent as a period to give up certain comforts in order to focus more fully on prayer and spiritual growth. The color purple during this time serves as a visual cue for Christians to enter into this time of self-discipline and focus on their spiritual lives.
Purple is also the liturgical color for Lent, the season leading up to Easter, which similarly involves themes of penance, fasting, and repentance. The parallel between Advent and Lent helps to highlight the importance of spiritual preparation, reminding believers that the season is not just about celebration but about inner renewal and readiness to receive Christ.
The Meaning of Pink in Advent
The Third Sunday: A Time of Joy and Rejoicing
While purple is used to signify repentance, the pink candle on the Advent wreath is a symbol of joy and anticipation. The pink candle is typically lit on the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “Rejoice,” and it marks the halfway point of Advent. The third Sunday is traditionally a day of rejoicing because it signifies that the waiting period is nearly over and that Christ’s birth is near.
The use of the pink candle signifies a shift in the tone of Advent, from solemnity and repentance to joy and hope. The Church encourages believers to reflect on the joy that Christ’s birth brings to the world and to rejoice in the knowledge that God’s promises are about to be fulfilled. The pink candle serves as a reminder that while Advent is a time of preparation, it is also a time of great hope and anticipation for the coming of the Savior.
A Contrast to the Purple: A Spiritual Balance
The pink candle serves as a visual and symbolic contrast to the purple candles. While purple represents a period of waiting, introspection, and even penitence, pink breaks through this somber tone to remind believers that Advent is also a time of joy. The pink candle invites worshippers to find hope amidst their waiting, offering a glimpse of the joy that is to come with Christ’s birth. It provides a necessary balance to the overall tone of Advent, ensuring that the season is not solely defined by longing and penitence but also by the joyful expectation of Christ’s arrival.
The Biblical Roots of Purple and Pink
Purple: A Royal Color
Purple has deep biblical roots and is often associated with kingship and authority. In the Old Testament, purple was a color reserved for the robes of royalty and the temple. The Book of Esther, for example, describes the Persian king as being adorned in purple garments. In the New Testament, purple is mentioned as one of the colors of clothing used in the crucifixion of Christ. The soldiers who mocked Jesus dressed him in a purple robe, as a mockery of his supposed kingship, but it also foreshadowed the true royalty of Christ.
This royal association makes purple a fitting color for Advent, as it reflects the anticipation of Christ, who was born as the King of Kings. The use of purple throughout Advent emphasizes the importance of preparing for the coming of a king who will reign over all of creation.
Pink: The Joyful Shift
The introduction of pink during Gaudete Sunday is not only rooted in the liturgical traditions but can also be traced back to the biblical theme of joy. In the Gospel of Luke, the announcement of the birth of Jesus is met with great rejoicing by the angels. The pink candle is a reminder of this joy, symbolizing the celebration that is near. It serves as a visual representation of the shift in focus that occurs on Gaudete Sunday: from the somber tone of Advent to the joyful anticipation of Christ’s arrival.
The Liturgical Use of Purple and Pink
The use of purple and pink candles is not arbitrary. It follows a well-established liturgical pattern that has been part of the Church’s practice for centuries. The liturgical calendar is designed to guide the spiritual life of the believer through seasons of waiting, reflection, and celebration. Advent, with its emphasis on preparation and anticipation, follows this pattern.
Purple, used for three of the Advent Sundays, underscores the themes of repentance, prayer, and reflection. The pink candle, however, serves as a joyful interruption in this time of waiting, inviting Christians to rejoice in the hope that is to come. The interplay between purple and pink helps to create a balanced spiritual rhythm, guiding believers through the full spectrum of emotions that Advent evokes—longing, hope, repentance, and joy.
Conclusion: The Spiritual Power of Color in Advent
The purple and pink candles of Advent are more than just decorative elements—they are steeped in spiritual significance. Purple calls believers to reflect, repent, and prepare for the coming of Christ as King, while pink offers a glimpse of the joy and celebration that the birth of Jesus brings. Together, these colors create a powerful visual representation of the Advent journey: a time of anticipation, hope, repentance, and joy.
Through the symbolism of the purple and pink candles, Christians are invited to experience Advent not just as a time of waiting but as a time of spiritual transformation, drawing closer to God in prayer and preparation for the arrival of Christ. The colors of Advent—purple and pink—remind us of the balance between penitence and joy, reflection and celebration, that defines this holy season.
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