Advent is the first season of the Christian year . It begins four sundays before Christmas which is always December 25 to coincide with the Sol Invictus , the pagan feast to the birth of the Unconquered Sun . Pope Julius I is attributed to starting this tradition to symbolize the birth of God's Son . The first known reference to this custom was found in a 4th century calendar . Advent is a time to spiritually prepare for the birth of Jesus . The four candles stand for the four weeks of Advent . They are purple to symbolize penance and prayer , although the third one may be rose for rejoicing on Gaudete Sunday , and they all may be replaced with white on Christmas eve or a fifth candle can remain in the middle to light on Christmas eve and day . The round wreath ( an unbroken circle ) is a strong symbol of the eternity of God's covenent of eternal life through Christ Jesus and to complement this it is frequently made of evergreen . The candles are to be a perfect light to burn away the darkness of man's sin by the radiance of the Emmanuel's Love .

The ritual at home may involve prayer , readings , and song before lighting the candles . This is usually started before dinner after mass on Sunday and continued through the week , lighting one candle for each week of Advent . At our house the youngest child starts the prayer and lights the first candle on the first Sunday of Advent . On the second Sunday the oldest child starts the prayer and lights the two candles . The third sunday the next to the youngest child lights the three candles . The forth sunday the next to the oldest lights the four candles . The fifth candle is called the Christ Candle , we the parents share lighting it when we return home after mass Christmas eve . During the week whoever's first gets the pleasure but we try to rotate it . We burn all five during the 12 days of Christmas . We always say a prayer before lighting it and before extinguishing it . We usually do a reading on Sundays , but not usually during the week . We don't sing until Christmas eve . There are many sources for prayers and readings but you should do what fits the needs of your family . It is a great time for spiritual growth and family unity .

Bright Blessings of the Season - from our family to you .

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