Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 24 December 2025
Calvary Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, (WELS). 1270 N Dobson Road, Chandler AZ 85224. Church phone 480 963 9397 or Cell 602 903 0035. www.calvarychandler.net The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the Light of Christ into the world. On the first Sunday of Advent, the first blue candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7). This candle represents hope and expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah. We have a sure and certain hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises he made to us. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second blue candle is lit. This candle is called either the “Bethlehem Candle” or the “Candle of Preparation.” God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). As we hear in our Bible readings this Sunday, we are preparing a way for the Lord by asking God to help us be ready to welcome him into our lives. On the third Sunday of Advent, the pink candle is lit. This pink candle is called the "Shepherds’ Candle" or the “Candle of Joy.” The angels announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds in total joy (Luke 2:7-15). The fourth and last blue candle, oftentimes called the "Angel Candle" or the “Candle of Love,” represents the reason why God sent Jesus in that lowly manger. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This candle is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle." The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
