What's what during Advent...

Here are some tidbits about advent and some of the symbolism...
Light is very symbolic and is seen in a variety of ways…

Jesus called Himself “the light of the World.” On the Advent wreath, “the light of the world” is the Christ Candle in the center.

God’s Word is the light that lights our paths.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
What is good and right and pure is represented by the light. We know that light will always overcome the darkness.
“The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5

The symbolism of the advent wreath is beautiful.

Evergreens signify continuous life. Even the kind of evergreens has a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith:
The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering;
Pine, holly, and yew signify immortality;
Cedar represents strength and healing.

Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection.

The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ.

All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. They are:
HOPE, LOVE, JOY and PEACE
PROPHETS, BETHLEHEM, SHEPHERDS and WISE MEN

Three candles are purple and one is rose.
The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifice and good works undertaken at this time.
The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday to symbolize rejoicing because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.

The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world
and the anticipation of His second coming to judge
the living and the dead.