Advent Wreath Prayers begins this year on Sunday, November 29. Save this page and come back to it each Sunday until Christmas.
If you have ever stood in front of an Advent wreath wondering which candle to light, what the pink one is for, and what exactly you are supposed to say, you are not alone. Many Catholics grew up seeing the wreath at church but were never shown how to use one at home.
The good news is that it is simple. It takes about five minutes, works for families with small children and for people praying alone, and you do not need to be an expert to do it well. This guide gives you the meaning of each candle, a short prayer for every Sunday, and a Scripture reading to go with it.
What Is an Advent Wreath?
The Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches holding four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent. The circle has no beginning and no end, a sign of God’s eternal love. The evergreen is a sign of life that does not fade. The growing light, one more candle each week, reminds us that Christ, the Light of the World, is coming closer.
Advent is the four-week season of preparation before Christmas. It is not a countdown to presents. It is a time of waiting, and the wreath helps us wait well.
What You Need
- Four candles: three violet (purple) and one rose (pink). If you cannot find these colors, any four candles will do. The prayer matters more than the color.
- A wreath or simple holder: greenery is traditional, but a plate with four candles works.
- A lighter or matches (adults only, if children are present).
- This page, or a printed copy.
Some families add a white candle in the center to light on Christmas Day. This is a custom, not a requirement.
How to Pray the Advent Wreath Each Sunday
Use the same simple pattern every week. It takes five minutes.
- Sign of the Cross.
- Read the Scripture for that Sunday (suggested below).
- Light the candles. Light one on the first Sunday, two on the second, and so on. Always light the earlier candles first.
- Pray the prayer for that week.
- Close with the Our Father and the Sign of the Cross.
Many families do this at dinner. Let the youngest child light the candle if you can.
The Four Candles: What They Mean
The Church does not assign official names to the candles, so you may see them labeled slightly differently from family to family. The most common pattern is Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Here is what each one points to.
First Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Hope
Color: violet
The first candle reminds us that we are waiting for something, and that the waiting has a purpose. Advent begins in the dark. Hope is the belief that the dark will not have the last word.
Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5
A simple prayer:
Lord Jesus, we light this first candle in hope. Some of us are carrying worries into this season. Teach us to wait for you with open hearts. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Peace
Color: violet
The second candle is a prayer for peace: in our homes, in our hearts, and in the world. Peace is not the absence of difficulty. It is the quiet trust that God is with us in the middle of it.
Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
A simple prayer:
Prince of Peace, we light this second candle for peace. Calm what is anxious in us. Heal what is broken between us. Make our home a place where your peace can rest. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Joy (Gaudete Sunday)
Color: rose (pink)
This is the pink candle. The third Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “rejoice.” Half the season has passed and Christmas is close, so the Church lightens the mood. Even in a hard year, we are allowed to rejoice, because Christ is near.
Suggested Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7
A simple prayer:
Lord, we light this rose candle in joy. Thank you for the gifts we often overlook. For anyone here who is struggling to feel joyful, let your nearness be their comfort. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Love
Color: violet
The last candle points to the greatest gift: God loved us so much that he sent his Son. It is also a good time to remember Mary, who said yes and carried Christ into the world.
Suggested Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
A simple prayer:
Father, we light the fourth candle in love. Thank you for sending your Son. Like Mary, help us to say yes to you. Make us more loving to one another before Christmas comes. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Quick Reference: The Four Sundays of Advent
The dates below are for this year’s Advent.
| Sunday | Date | Theme | Candle | Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Nov 29 | Hope | Violet | Isaiah 40:1-5 |
| Second | Dec 6 | Peace | Violet | Isaiah 11:1-10 |
| Third | Dec 13 | Joy | Rose | Philippians 4:4-7 |
| Fourth | Dec 20 | Love | Violet | Luke 1:26-38 |
If You Are Praying This Alone, or With an Empty Chair
Not everyone lights the wreath with a full table. Some of you are praying alone. Some are missing someone who sat with you last year. Advent is made for you too. It is a season that begins in the dark and waits for the light.
You can pray this exact same pattern by yourself, with one candle and five quiet minutes. You do not need a family for it to count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a wreath? No. A plate with four candles, or even a single candle each week, is fine. The wreath is a custom, not a requirement.
What if I miss a Sunday? Light the candle on the next day you can. The wreath is not a test. Simply pick up where you are.
Why is one candle pink? The rose candle marks Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, a moment of joy in the middle of a penitential season.
Can I light the candles during the week? Yes. Many families light the current week’s candles at dinner each night. The Sunday prayer is the main moment, and the rest is up to you.
Does the wreath need to be blessed? A blessing is traditional but not required to pray with it. The Church’s Book of Blessings includes an order for blessing an Advent wreath that a parent can lead at home, and many parishes bless wreaths at the start of Advent. Ask your priest if you would like yours blessed.
Are these the official prayers? The prayers above are simple suggestions written for home use. They are not an official liturgical text. You can also use your own words.
Keep Praying Past Advent
If lighting the wreath this season makes you want to build a regular prayer habit, we have a free 3-day Catholic prayer guide made for beginners and for anyone who keeps starting and stopping. [Get the free guide here.]
May this Advent bring you a little more light each Sunday. Come, Lord Jesus.
