The First Sunday of Advent

Hope

The Meaning and Tradition of the Advent Candle

The Advent candle is a simple yet beautiful tradition that helps families mark the four weeks before Christmas with intention and prayer. It is a lovely way to prepare, week by week, for the coming of Christ, the Light of the world. Each candle represents a theme—Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love—and lighting them, one by one, reminds us that the light of Christ grows nearer as we approach His birth. The steady rhythm of gathering each Sunday, reading Scripture, and watching the small circle of light brighten is a way of slowing down in a busy season and turning our hearts toward God. This tradition dates back many centuries, and families continue it today because it brings a deeply meaningful sense of anticipation to the season of Advent.

Create Your Own Family Advent Candle

You can make a simple and beautiful Advent candle with just a few materials. Begin with four candles—traditionally three violet and one rose, though any colors will do. Arrange them in a circle on a plate or shallow dish. If you’d like, tuck small sprigs of greenery (evergreen, eucalyptus, or anything you have on hand) around the base to form a wreath. Place the candles evenly around the circle, leaving space in the center for a white candle to light on Christmas Day. Keep matches or a lighter nearby, choose a special place to gather each Sunday, and let this homemade candle become the heart of your family’s Advent tradition.

Lighting the First Candle

Say aloud:

When we light the first candle of Advent, we begin a season of looking forward with our hearts filled with hope, knowing something good is coming. God’s people once waited for the Savior with this same hope. Every promise God made was quietly moving toward fulfillment, even when they couldn’t yet see it.

In the Nativity stories this week, we will see how Mary welcomed God’s plan with trust, even before she understood what it would mean. Her “yes” shows us that hope can a steady confidence that God is working for our good. As we begin Advent, we can center our hearts in that hopeful promise. We can look toward the coming weeks with expectation, knowing that God is close to us, guiding us, and preparing our hearts for the joy of Christmas.

Family Prayer

Pray together:

Lord Jesus, as we begin this first week of Advent, we thank You for the hope You bring into the world. Just as Mary trusted Your promise with a willing heart, help us to trust You in our own lives. When we feel uncertain or impatient, remind us that You are always near, quietly preparing the way. As we light this candle, fill our home with the light of Your presence. Teach us to wait with faith, to listen for Your guidance, and to welcome You with the same openness Mary showed. Be with our family this week, and help us to grow in hope together. Amen.

Scripture Verse

The Annunciation

Luke 1:26–38

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren, because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Scripture Verse

The Visitation

Luke 1:39–56

And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda, and she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she cried out with a loud voice, saying: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. He hath shewed might in his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and she returned to her own house.And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren, because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.