The Advent season is one filled with many symbols, but two core symbols dominate.
The first is the wreath and the second are the candles. During the Advent/Christmas season, there are many surrounding symbols that have been added. Often the symbols have been adopted and redeemed for Christ. Tension comes from adopting for some, but Jesus is in the business of taking something old and making it new.
In churches and some homes, the wreath is one of the most well-known symbols. It comes from northern Europe and does not have its origins with Jesus followers. It has been adapted to point us to Jesus. Evergreen leaves are placed in a circle to remind us of life and God’s never ending love.
Candles are the biggest symbols we see in many churches and homes. Often candles are placed inside the wreath. Many churches will light one candle each Sunday service of advent until all four candles are lit Christmas eve or Christmas day.
Three of the candles are purple representing kingship or even repentance. One candle is often pink and represents Joy, reminding us of the need to rejoice in this season. Some will put a white candle in the middle and light that candle at the Christmas eve service or on Christmas day. The focus is not so much the colour, but the light. Today you sometimes see people using just plain white candles.
Purple is often the colour of advent. It represents repentance, fasting and royalty as we welcome the king. Often we do not think of advent as a time for fasting, etc., however, we must not forget its connection to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus came in the flesh to reveal God’s grace through his life, his teaching, death and resurrection. For this reason we see some shared colours between the season of advent and the season of lent.
There are other symbols that are connected to the Christmas story such as the star and the manager. The Christmas tree has also become a staple in many churches and homes here in the West. Again this is an example of a symbol that has been claimed and transformed to point us to Christ. Later, decorations with Christian symbols would be used to decorate the tree.
There is also a tradition called the Jesse tree. It seems to have its origin from the medieval times and is used to tell the story of the bible from creation to the birth of Christ. The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of King David in the old Testament. Isaiah 1:1-4 is the root of this symbolism speaking of a branch that shoots up from the stump of Jesse. Like many other symbols, trees have been used to help teach people who can not read or write learn the stories from creation to the birth of Christ. Today it is used more often as an advent Calendar. Here is a great online resource to learn more. Read the intro here: http://www.loyolapress.com/the-jesse-tree.htm
You can use a normal tree and each day of advent, or just on the Four Sundays of advent, hang a special decoration or ornament that tells a story from the bible on the tree.
The symbols of advent are used to help us focus on both the past and the future. They speak and serve as a signpost on the spiritual journey as the followers of Jesus affirm that Christ has come, that he is present, and that he will come again.