The lighting of five candles to mark the passing Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day remains an essential feature of many church services today. The coloured candles are interpreted by different traditions in different ways, associating them with different themes. Mark Earey, in one of his traditional hymns, ‘Advent candles tell their story’ (StF 165), follows the missional and renewing sequence of Advent themes that resonates with Charles Wesley’s double nature of Advent. Mark reminds us of ‘the eschatological message that runs through the pre-Christmas season, reminding us of a world that will find final fulfilment in the will of God. Mark’s hymn resonates with the longing of the patriarchs, the prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, and, for Christmas Day, Jesus. Mark argues, “The longing for the day of glory is there every week in Advent.”

The five Advent candles traditionally represent hope, joy, peace, love, and purity. Candle tells stories, whether as ‘representative of biblical people, characters in the nativity story or symbols of prayer for the sick and dying or deceased.’ Advent candles create, share and acknowledge a small quantity of light shining in the darkness of this world, a pointer to the more excellent light of Jesus Christ. A little light of hope, joy, peace, and love in this world suggests a walking shadow. Candle dies just as the world’s hope, joy, peace, and love will die. Jesus Christ, the liberating Truth of the Gospel is the Resurrection Light of the world (Lk 4:18)

Clare Stainsby rightly underlined, “The candles in the ring remind us that our Saviour will light up everything.” The darkness of this age is not forever; the Greater Light, Jesus Christ, is Coming Again. Beloved, Advent candles tell not just stories but salvation in Jesus ONLY. The Advent candles remind us of the fundamental facts of our Christian faith. Advent candles remind us of the double nature of Advent, the birth of Jesus Christ to bring light into the world. There is a penalty for sin. Jesus came to set us free from the wages of sin.

The world is lost without the Truth. Jesus came to witness to the Truth, to bear witness to the Truth, the Truth that saves us, the Truth of hope shining in this dark world of sin (Jn 8:32). The Truth symbolised through the Advent candles connects to the Easter candle, the Advent-watch of hope, peace, love and joy shining as Resurrection light. Gordon Giles explained this revelation better. He states, ‘The other aspect of any candle, especially in Advent, is that it is also a metaphor for life and death.’ Giles’s reference to Shakespeare’s Macbeth reveals the negative aspect of any candle. Candle die. Beloved, any expression of hope, joy, peace and love without Jesus Christ as the Truth, the Way, and the Life amounts to unending hopelessness, sadness, war, and hatred. Are you preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming? Repent today and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.