Every year, Advent arrives quietly. Christmas decorations go up, the lights begin to glow, and churches bring out the familiar wreath with its purple and pink candles. As a child, I remember our church observing Advent every Sunday leading up to Christmas. At that time, I didn’t understand the significance, but now, as an adult, I understand that beneath this tradition lies a rich and beautiful purpose.
Advent isn’t a countdown to presents or a sentimental prelude to Christmas morning. It is a season rooted in Scripture, filled with meaning, longing, hope, and deep spiritual preparation. And yes, each Sunday of Advent carries its own theme. These Advent themes help us slow down, focus our hearts, and remember why Christ’s coming still matters profoundly today.
Whether Advent is new to you or a cherished part of your faith, understanding these themes can add depth and clarity to this season of waiting.
Let’s look at each week of Advent and how Christians honor them.
Week One: HOPE
The first candle is often called the Prophet’s Candle. It invites us to remember the long, yearning hope of God’s people.
For centuries, Israel waited for a Messiah who would rescue, heal, and restore them and their land. Their hope wasn’t wishful thinking; it was trust in God who always keeps His promises.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
As we light the first candle, we join that same hope. We remember that we are people who wait, not in despair, but in expectation. We look at our world, and our lives, and whisper: “Lord, we need You.”
Ways to Show Honor:
- Read prophecies from Isaiah
- Reflect on promises God has kept in our own lives
- Begin Advent with a posture of longing and anticipation
(Click Here to Read “Your Heart Needs This One Thing Before December 1st)
Week Two: PEACE
The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle and reminds us that God’s peace often enters quietly, humbly, and unexpectedly.
The Messiah came not to a palace, but to a manger. He came not with armies, but with angels announcing peace to shepherds in the fields.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
This peace is not due to the absence of trouble, however. This peace reminds us of the presence of Christ in the midst of our trouble.
Ways to Show Honor:
- Read Luke 2 and reflect on Christ’s humble arrival
- Ask God to quiet our anxious hearts
- Create moments of silence in a typically noisy season
Week Three: JOY
The third candle is traditionally pink which is a color of celebration. This candle is called the Shepherd’s Candle, and it reflects the joy that breaks into the world through Christ.
The shepherds were the first to hear the news of the birth of Jesus. These shepherds were just ordinary and often overlooked people who were standing under an ordinary night sky. And yet they received a message from an angel of the Lord:
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” (Luke 2:10)
Advent joy is not superficial happiness, it is the deep assurance that God has come near.
Ways to Show Honor:
- Celebrate the ways God has been faithful this year
- Practice gratitude and give thanks
- Lean into the gladness that comes from salvation
(Click Here to Read “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”)
Week Four: LOVE
The final purple candle is the Angel’s Candle and it points us to the love of God displayed in Christ’s birth. Jesus did not come because the world was lovely, but because we were loved.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
Love is the heartbeat of Advent.
Love is why Christ came.
Love is why we prepare our hearts.
Ways to Show Honor:
- Reflect on God’s love which is expressed through the incarnation of Jesus
- Extend mercy, forgiveness, and kindness to others
- Ask God to make us more like Christ
The Christmas Candle: CHRIST
Some traditions include a fifth candle. This is the white Christ Candle. The Christ Candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and reminds us that every theme of Advent finds its fulfillment in Jesus. He is our Hope, our Peace, our Joy, and our Love.
Why These Themes Matter Today
Advent calls us to pause in a season that typically rushes past us. It pulls us back to the center of our faith and reminds us that Jesus came once and He is coming again.
We light the Advent candles not to perform a ritual, but to remember this one reality: We live between two advents. The first was in Bethlehem. The second is still to come. The themes of Advent give us a weekly invitation to align our hearts with that truth.
Final Thoughts
This year, whether Advent is brand-new or beautifully familiar to you, let these four Sundays guide your heart in the:
- Hope for what God has promised
- Peace in His presence
- Joy in His salvation
- Love that changes everything
May this season draw you closer to Christ. He is the Light who came into our darkness, the Savior who lives within us and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who will return.
Blessings,
Amy
I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your insights, experiences or questions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
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