The most important point of the Advent wreath is that it visually marks the time leading up to Christmas and symbolizes the increasing light as Christ draws near to us. Over the years, some have attached particular meanings to individual candles, such as shepherds, angels, Wise Men, and Mary, or hope, faith, love, and joy. More important than any direct correlation of candle to meaning, however, is our growing anticipation of Jesus’ birth.

In particular, many folks worry about when it is appropriate to light the pink candle. Wreaths often come with three purple, one pink, and one white candle, generating untold anxiety about following the proper instructions. Relax! The pink, or rose-colored, candle is an imitation of a Roman Catholic practice that is required only of churches in Rome itself. It hearkens back to a Lenten custom from the Middle Ages. On the fourth Sunday in Lent, the pope would give a golden rose to people he especially esteemed. Rose-colored paraments (hangings) decorated the churches for this occasion, which came to be thought of as a respite from the rigors of Lent. The first word of the introit for that day was laetare, “rejoice.”As Advent developed into a “little Lent,” the third Sunday of Advent mirrored this custom. It helped that the first word of the introit for that Sunday was gaudete, also “rejoice.” Hence, rose vestments and a pink candle.

So the answer is: if you have a pink candle, you may light it on the third Sunday. But it is fine to have four purple candles, each marking a Sunday in Lent, with the white Christ candle in the center, to be lit on Christmas Eve.

The Book of Common Worship has suggested Scripture readings to use at the lighting of the Advent wreath on pages 165–166. Consider singing subsequent verses of the same Advent hymn each week as the candles are lit; for instance, sing the first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” the first week, the first two verses the second week, and so on (the version in The Presbyterian Hymnal has only three verses, but other hymnals have more complete versions of the hymn). Other hymns that lend themselves to this practice are:
“People, Look East” (The Presbyterian Hymnal, #12)
“Savior of the Nations, Come” (The Presbyterian Hymnal, #14)

By Martha L. Moore-Keish and Brant Copeland