THE MEANING OF THE ADVENT WREATH. (Speakers on)

This should have been posted in November, but here it is:
Living Hope

"Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. However, some may use blue in place of the purple."
Choral excerpts from Handel's Messiah
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1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE  For unto us a child is born
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2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION    Every Valley...- G.F. Handel "Messiah"
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3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY
"How Beautiful are the Feet of Them that Bringeth Glad Tidings of Joy."
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4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE Messiah Chorus He shall purify
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5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth!  Hallelujah Chorus
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"When these candles were lit, Scripture and prayer was part of the custom and the family devotion time was a time of instructing the children about Christ’s coming. Later, the custom crossed over different denominational lines and other faith traditions adapted its use. Today, you can find Advent wreathes in many Protestant and Roman Catholic churches."

Why Stand for the Hallelujah Chorus?     "No one knows why King George stood but we do know that people around the world still rise to their feet whenever they hear first notes of the Hallelujah Chorus.
"Originally, Handel wrote The Messiah to be performed at Lent or Easter. Today, however, the Hallelujah Chorus is most popular as a piece of Christmas music."
Then there is this excellent contemporary version of the oratorio, "handel's young Messiah".