Advent

The Liturgical Color Blue

Many Lutheran churches observe Advent with blue as the liturgical color because of its association with hope. [REF] For many of us in the Northern hemisphere, the shorter days and longer nights of winter illustrate the story of people enduring the darkness, and waiting on the return of light. One often hears readings and hymns that focus on the prophetic voices in the Bible foretelling the coming of the Messiah. 

Advent Wreaths

The Advent wreath originated from ancient northern European traditions that celebrated the winter solstice with fire and candles, later adopted by Christians to symbolize Christ’s coming as the light of the world. Developed in Germany a few centuries ago, its circular form represents eternal life through Christ, the evergreens signify God’s enduring faithfulness, and the candles reflect the light of Christ. Today, the wreath continues to remind believers of hope and renewal, with variations in materials and candle colors reflecting different traditions, though all maintain the circle as the essential symbol of eternity and divine promise. [REF].

On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Eve, another candle is lit and each candle represents a different theme of awaiting the coming of Jesus: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. In Catholic tradition, it is common practices to use three purple candles with one pink candle to represent joy. Since Lutheran tradition grew from Catholic tradition, these colors are also common amongst Lutherans. And in many Lutheran congregations it has become common to use four blue candles with or without a fifth white candle in the center (known as the "Christ Candle," it is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day).