Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.
Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday all of the candles are lit as we celebrate the best news ever that He is risen!
As you walk through Lent and Holy week, the candles will visually remind you of the powerful truth that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). But for a while on Good Friday and Holy Saturday it may have seemed as if the darkness was overcoming – for a long while.
What do you need?
- Seven purple candles
- One white candle (the Christ candle)
- Optional: a tray to hold all the candles.
How do the Lenten Candles Work?
Begin on Ash Wednesday by lighting all eight candles.
Read the appointed Psalm(s) and/or Gospel passage for the evening.
After the reading, say “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it.” Then snuff out one candle. Do not light it again until Easter.
Each evening you can light the candles that have not been snuffed out and read the appointed Psalm(s) and/or Gospel passage.
On each Sunday you say the words of John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it.” and snuff out an additional purple candle.
On Good Friday you follow the same pattern and snuff out the white Christ candle. Leave all the candles unlit on Holy Saturday.
On Easter Sunday, with great joy, light all the candles and boldly say, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness have not overcome it!”
An alternative practice is to just do the candles during Holy Week. If you do that, buy five purple candles and one white candle. You will start snuffing purple candles out on Palm Sunday and then the white candle on Good Friday.