In what order do you light the 5 advent candles?

When lighting the advent candles, you first light a purple candle. Then you light another purple candle as well as the first candle. The pink candle is next in line, as well as the first two candles. Then it is the last purple candle with the other three candles. The last candle to light is the white candle with the other four.

There are different traditions about the order and color of Advent candles. In the Protestant tradition, four red candles are lit and in the orthodox church, six candles are lit. Some traditions light a total of 5 candles: First two purple candles on successive Sundays preceding Christmas, then a pink candle, another purple one, and finally a central white candle representing Christ.

The general rule for order of lighting colored Advent candles:

• 1st: Green-faith
• 2nd: Blue-hope
• 3rd: Gold-love
• 4th: White-peace
• 5th: Purple-repentance

Advent starts four weeks before Christmas day. Although the candle colors might differ between branches of Christianity. The 4 colors of the advent candles are purple, pink and white. Catholics light the first candle on the first Sunday, lighting an additional candle each successive Sunday until Christmas day, according to the advent themes in order.