The Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches with four candles. Traditionally the wreath has three purple candles and one rose colored candle. One candle is lit for each week of Advent. 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.

The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for this color anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice". The third Sunday is also known as Guadete Sunday because in Latin, the first words of the opening antiphon for that day's Mass are "Guadete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always"). On this Sunday rose-colored vestments are permitted.

During Advent, family and friends can gather around the Advent Wreath lighting the appropriate candle(s), read from the daily Advent meditation and sing songs.