Typically, three of the four Advent candles are purple—the first, second and fourth ones. The first candle, or "Prophet's Candle," symbolizes hope. The color means royalty, repentance and fasting.

Advent is a period of reflection, joy and hope for peace. Here's what happens during Advent and why there are pink and purple candles.

Advent candles. (photo: Kara Monroe via Flickr / (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)) ... The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent — three candles are purple, and one is a rose color.

On Gaudete Sunday, which is the third Sunday of Advent, a rose colored candle is illuminated. “Christmas and the Advent season, I think, are so different from Lent principally because they have ...

Regarding Vell Rives’s Dec. 6 letter, “Keep Advent purple, please”: While purple (or violet) is the color of penance and sacrifice first used during Lent and subsequently during Advent in ...

Some Advent wreaths have a fifth candle, which is white, in the center of the wreath. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit.

As many Americans remain home during the holiday season, some are choosing to replace the busyness of the season with traditions from the Christian season of Advent, such as opening a daily ...

The advent candles, she explains, are symbolic of Christian virtue and are lit in intervals. She visibly inscribes wording that represents fruits of the Holy Spirit which are; hope, love, joy and ...

If you've never used an Advent wreath and candles before, we'll explain their meaning, colors, and how it all started. The wreath itself is a symbol, and each of the candles has its own distinct ...