Grab this free printable coloring sheet to help you keep track of the order of the Advent wreath candles and a little bit about the meaning behind this Catholic devotion. You can use the one with words for older kids, or without for those who either don’t read, or who just want the extra coloring space.
Advent Wreath Meaning
What does the Advent wreath mean? What are the candles for and which ones do we light each week? Why is there one pink one?
The Circle
The circular shape of the wreath is a sign meant to remind us of the never-ending love of the Holy Trinity. When you look at it with your kids, remind them each time of God’s infinite love for them. Let them trace their fingers around and around it before you light the candles. Point out all of the wreaths you see during this season because each one is really meant to help us think of God’s love.
The Greenery
A traditional Advent wreath is meant to be made from evergreen as a sign of God’s love for us. It never dies. Additionally, even the types of evergreen offer even more insight into God’s relationship with us.
- Pine, Holly, Yew: the immortality of the Holy Trinity
- Cedar: strength and healing
- Laurel: victory over death
The Candles And their order
The four candles each represent 100 years that the Jewish people longed for the coming of Christ. In order, moving counter-clockwise because God’s time is different than our own, the candles are:
- Purple – Hope: This theological virtue by which we seek the Kingdom of Heaven above all else marks the very first candle we light. We aren’t meant to hope to get everything done, find all the best gifts, or win the neighborhood decorating contest. We’re supposed to have hope in what God will provide, which is ultimately salvation for all who know and love Him.
- Purple – Peace: Seeking to defend God’s order. The CCC #2304 states, “Peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace can not be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is “the tranquility of order.â€
- Pink (though it’s actually rose) – Joy, Gaudete Sunday: Differing from Lent, Advent is a time of joyful waiting. God’s promises will all be fulfilled in the life of Christ come down to earth. And so, on the third candle, we reflect specifically on the joy of the season, and how close we are to celebrating the miraculous occasion of God Incarnate as Baby Jesus. Joy is not a feeling, but one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which we obtain by living out the virtues we’ve been given as gifts. To contemplate joy, think of Mary and Elizabeth greeting each other with Jesus and John the Baptist in their wombs.
- Purple – Love: Another of the three theological virtues, love is synonymous with charity, and is often used interchangeably. Love is the total gift of self. God gave us everything he is, was, and will be, somehow wrapped up in a tiny baby, and in the Eucharist we receive at every Mass.
- White – Christmas: Every candle, but especially the white one left in the center, can be used as cue to think of Christ’s Risen light. The white one helps us think of our Baptism, when we receive Christ’s Risen Life. This one is lit on Christmas, and can continue to be lit for the entire Christmas Season until the Baptism of the Lord.
Suggestions for your Advent wreath family devotion
Check out our free printable Advent wreath prayer, and the post that goes along with it to find some mom pro-tips on the Advent wreath devotion.
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