Q&A for How to Light the Advent Candles

The lit candles are symbols that remind us that Jesus is the "Light of the world".

Just consider what is safe as to not have a fire hazard. Let the candles burn for as long as you are right there in front of the advent wreath. Never leave the candles burning while out of sight. The time you spend while singing, praying or meditating on the coming of the birth of Christ will be enough.

Having a white candle in the center is optional.

No. If you're using LED candles, you can keep them lit as long as you like.

The third candle should be pink. Pink symbolizes joy. he fifth candle, symbolizing Christ, is lit on Christmas Eve.

The candles may be used more than once; just make sure they don't get too low or the whole thing could catch fire.

Yes, they should be. Light them as you imagine them being a clock. The first one should be the bottom left (like 8 o'clock), the second one should be the top left (like 10 o'clock), the third one (pink - top right, as 2 o'clock), and the fourth one, bottom right (like 4 o'clock). The Christ candle, in the middle, is lit at a Christmas Eve service, and on Christmas, the following week, and on Epiphany Sunday.

Yes. Each week, you light another candle. By the end, all candles are lit.

On the first week, light one purple one. On the second week, light both the first purple one and the second purple one. On the third week, light the first purple one, the second purple one, and the pink one. On the fourth week, light all of them.

Light it whenever you remember. There are no consequences for forgetting, everyone makes mistakes.

Light the purple candle opposite the pink candle on the First Sunday of Advent. If you go counter-clockwise or clockwise, you will still land on the pink candle on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

The first advent candle is lit on the first day of Advent which is 4 weeks before Christmas, or 5 if Christmas is on a Sunday.

The candles can be lit at anytime on each of the four Sundays of Advent. Many churches have an Advent wreath at the center of their Sunday Mass or service. Some families have one on their dining table and light the candles at their evening meal each day.

It does not matter very much. As long as you light it on the third week, you are okay.

The candles don't have individual meanings. Together they symbolize Christmas or the Advent.

Hallmark stores and religious stores often sell Advent wreaths. They are also available online.

Guadete means "rejoice." The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy. There is not a gaudete priest, but the priest in the Catholic Church will wear a rose/pink colored chasuble (vestment) on that day.

The pink one is supposed to be lit on the third Sunday of Advent, then the white one on Christmas Eve. Other than that, they are lit: the top purple, the bottom purple, the left rose, then the right purple. One more candle in that order is lit each week of Advent, so the top purple on the first Sunday, the top purple and bottom purple on the second, the top purple, bottom purple and left rose on the third Sunday, the top purple, bottom purple, left rose, right purple on fourth Sunday. And all 5 candles are lit in that order, plus a white one in the center on Christmas Eve. This is the way Catholics light an Advent wreath.

Because rose is for joy. This symbolizes the joy we experience as the birth of Jesus nears.

Yes. All altar candles are lit first.

White represents purity. It should only be used on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day, as it symbolizes the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

No, after the evening meal. We focus on Christ and His willingness to come and save us. We read Bible verses, pray, and spend time enjoying the "reason for the season."

We don't observe it that way. It represents a focus leading up to the true celebration of Christmas.

It's really a matter of choice. It is better to light them on Sundays so they don't burn too low, but you can do it either way.

Replace, and you may want to rearrange the candles so that the first candle is the shortest and the rest are in size order. You may also want to consider using a candle snuffer instead of blowing the candles out. The children in our family love to snuff the candles out using the snuffer. It also adds to the ceremony of it and prevents candle wax from ending up somewhere it could do damage.

Gaudete means joy. This symbolizes the joy we experience as the birth of the savior nears.

You always light the white one on Christmas Eve.

Yes. Light the candles in the same order as usual, and then light the Christ candle at the end.

It's up to you, but it is recommended that you do. This can tighten family bonds by doing it together. Before lighting the candles, it would be a good idea to ask the rest of the family if they want to join in or watch.

It's probably better to light a different kind of candles for a funeral. Unless the funeral is at Advent, you want to show your respect to the deceased.