Star of Bethlehem

Mormons don’t observe the Advent quite the way most other Christians do. We don’t light candles in our chapels (which is probably more about fire safety than theology). But as a musician I’ve participated in dozens of advent services in other churches, and I think it’s a lovely tradition. The advent wreath is an evergreen circle representing eternity. In the center is a tall white candle. Four candles are set in the greenery; three purple and one pink. On the first Sunday of the Advent, one purple candle is lit. Its name is Prophecy, after the prophets who foretold of Christ’s birth. Next week the Bethlehem or Love candle follows. The pink candle is third. It’s called the Shepherd’s candle or Gaudete, meaning “rejoice.”  The fourth candle, the Angel candle, is lit the Sunday before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the last candle is lit. It is the Christ candle, representing our Savior, the Light of the World.