I suppose it is a German or Central European part of my background that prefers red candles in the home Advent Wreath.
At different times I have used four purple candles, and other times three purple and one rose-coloured candle. But we have always struggled over whether or not to observe the rose candle as Roman tradition would have it on the Third Sunday in Advent or upon the Fourth Sunday considering the current Lectionary readings and some tales of ancient northern European custom.
But my most cherished memories of the season of Advent are from Episcopalian parishes that used a beautiful blue for Advent -- in part in homage to the old Sarum seasonal colours. But the choice of colour had very little to do with my treasured memories of parish communities that truly knew and lived the Advent Season preparing for the Second Coming of the Lord whilst preparing to recall His first appearing in a cave in Bethlehem of Judea.
May God bless all of those good people who worked so hard to keep the Christian mind alive among them in the midst of an ever-rising tide of secular glitz and sentimental fictions meant to replace the reason we have any hope at all -- Jesus Christ, our Divine Saviour, who came among us through His Holy Family, St. Mary the Virgin and St. Joseph the Just.
And may the good and gracious Lord likewise bless all of us who try in many different ways to keep a holy Advent Season in anticipation of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God.
