What are Advent candles?
Advent is a preparatory celebration for Christmas, which can take four to six weeks. Although often associated with Roman Catholicism, numerous Christian denominations observe the Advent in some way. These include many Protestant groups and the eastern Orthodox group. Advent candles, usually used to light up wreaths, which many people have at home for this "preparation" for Christ's birth, may vary according to designation or individual practice. These may be long narrowing or shorter candles, depending on the preference and stability of the wreath in which they are located. The color of the candles can be very important.
Roman Catholics can use for three candles and a pink colored candle for three candles. Purple connects to the color of the fasting, from birth to crucifixion. In other churches, the purple can be a symbol of repentance, although it is not unusual for many churches to use blue. Usually three purple or blue candles are illuminated in the first three weeks of Advent and then the pink illuminated the lasta week before Christmas. Some churches and individuals differ. Unlike the idea of repentance, pink -colored candles usually symbolize the joy and expectation of the birth of Christ.
Instead of focusing on repentance or Lent, some Christian traditions have different takeover of the symbolism of Advent candles. In some Protestant denominations, where five candles can be used instead, the candle is a certain idea or topic every week. The first candle is a candle of hope and the other are the shows of roads, joy and peace. The fifth candle represents the light of Christ and is illuminated on Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve. Unlike other Advent candles, this sits directly in the middle of wreaths.
Some people choose quite different color Advent candles and can celebrate the preparatory weeks before Christmas in a lighter way. Three to four white candles and red are popular variations on colors or placeThis can be used by red and green candles. Traditions and symbolism can really be on an individual family that celebrates Advent.
In most Christian groups that this time they commemorate, families can gather every night to ignite the Advent wreath and can choose different prayers or read fonts to read it every night. Other people simply illuminate Advent candles once a week. Many Christians feel that this focus on the religious aspect of Christmas holidays helps to keep people in contact with the spiritual reason for Christmas.