The Fourth Week of Advent invites us to open our hearts to love—the generous, self-giving love that God revealed when He chose to come to us as a Child.
As the final candle of the wreath is lit, we remember that Christ’s coming is very near.
This devotion helps you prepare your heart to welcome Him with gratitude, humility, and love.
The Fourth Week of Advent: Understanding Love
During the Fourth Week of Advent, Christians reflect on the deepest truth of Christmas:
that God’s love becomes flesh and enters our world to save us.
“For God so loved the world…” — John 3:16
Advent love is not emotion or sentiment.
It is sacrifice, mercy, compassion, and the willingness to give ourselves as Christ gave Himself for us.
As Christmas approaches, the Church calls us to open every corner of our hearts—our joys, our wounds, our relationships—to the transforming love of Jesus.
This is the love Advent invites us to rediscover:
a love that gives, heals, forgives, and restores.
⭐ A True Advent Story of Love: Saint Maximilian Kolbe
In December 1941, inside the Auschwitz concentration camp, a moment of extraordinary love took place.
After a prisoner escaped, the guards chose ten men to die by starvation as punishment.
One of them, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out in anguish:
“My wife! My children! I will never see them again!”
Hearing his cry, Father Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest imprisoned for his faith, stepped forward and said:
“I am a Catholic priest. Let me take his place.”
A stunned silence followed. His offer was accepted.
Kolbe was led into the starvation bunker with the other condemned men.
But instead of despair, something unexpected happened:
- he prayed aloud with the other prisoners,
- he consoled the fearful,
- he encouraged forgiveness,
- he transformed a place of death into a place of grace.
After two weeks without food, Kolbe was the last one still alive, praying quietly.
He offered his life freely—pure, self-giving love.
Years later, the man he saved lived to old age and witnessed Kolbe’s canonization.
This real moment reveals the heart of the Fourth Week of Advent:
- Love sacrifices.
- Love gives without counting the cost.
- Love brings Christ’s light to the darkest places.
What Does Love Mean in Advent?
In this sacred week, love means:
- giving ourselves generously, even in small ways,
- welcoming Christ’s compassion into our hearts,
- forgiving as we have been forgiven,
- placing others before ourselves,
- preparing room in our hearts for Jesus.
Love is the heart of Christmas—and the greatest gift we can offer God.
The Fourth Candle: Symbol of Love and Preparation
The fourth purple candle of the Advent wreath symbolizes:
- God’s faithful, enduring love,
- Mary and Joseph preparing in love for the birth of Jesus,
- the love that heals all wounds,
- Christ’s love that enters the world to save us.
Lighting this candle is a prayer that says:
“Lord, teach me to love as You love.”
How to Live the Fourth Week of Advent
This week, God invites you to:
- do one simple act of charity or generosity,
- forgive someone with a sincere heart,
- pray for those who feel unloved or forgotten,
- spend a quiet moment thanking God for His love,
- prepare your heart to welcome Jesus at Christmas.
Every act of love makes room for Christ.
Continue Your Advent Journey
If you have walked through hope, peace, and joy, this final week invites you to open your heart completely to love.
Keep building your Advent journey:
- Begin again with the First Week of Advent (Hope)
- Reflect deeply with the Second Week of Advent (Peace)
- Rejoice with the Third Week of Advent (Joy)
- Prepare your heart with the Fourth Week of Advent (Love)
Each step brings you closer to the love Christ desires for your life.
1. Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent (Love)
Heavenly Father,
as we enter the Fourth Week of Advent,
fill my heart with Your perfect love.
Help me love as You love—
with patience, gentleness, mercy, and compassion.
Lord Jesus,
You are Love made flesh,
the Light who enters our darkness
and the Savior who comes to dwell among us.
Prepare my heart to welcome You at Christmas
with faith, humility, and devotion.
Holy Spirit,
kindle in me a spirit of charity.
Remove all selfishness and coldness,
heal every wound of the heart,
and teach me to love generously
those You have placed in my life.
O Mary, Mother of Love,
walk with me in this final week of Advent.
Help me receive Jesus with a pure heart,
serve others with tenderness,
and reflect God’s love in all I do.
Amen.
🕯️ 2. Reflection for the Fourth Week of Advent
The Fourth Week of Advent celebrates love—the love that moved God to become one of us, to enter our homes, our families, and our lives.
Love means:
- offering ourselves generously to others,
- responding to God’s grace with gratitude,
- letting Christ’s compassion shape our actions,
- and welcoming Jesus into every corner of our hearts.
As Christmas approaches, we remember that love is the heart of the Incarnation.
🌿 3. How to Pray This Week of Advent
Here’s a simple way to live this week of love:
- Light the fourth purple candle of your Advent wreath.
- Pray the Fourth Week of Advent prayer each morning or evening.
- Do one concrete act of charity or kindness for someone in need.
- Spend a few minutes reflecting on the love Christ brings to your life.
- Prepare your heart to welcome Him at Christmas with joy and devotion.
Every simple act of love prepares a place for Jesus.
🙏 Short Closing Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus.
Fill my heart with Your love
as I prepare to welcome You this Christmas.
Amen.
🔗 Related Advent Devotions
- First Week of Advent Prayer
- Second Week of Advent Prayer
- Third Week of Advent Prayer
- Fourth Week of Advent Prayer
📌 Share This Devotion
If this prayer blessed your Advent journey, share it with someone who needs hope, peace, joy, or love:
- Share on Facebook
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- Send to a friend
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You may pray it daily throughout Advent, morning or evening.
Absolutely. Advent prayers are beautiful when prayed together at home.
No. It is a personal devotion meant to enrich your Advent season.
Week 1 – Purple (Hope)
Week 2 – Purple (Peace)
Week 3 – Rose (Joy)
Week 4 – Purple (Love)
🌟 Come, Lord Jesus.
Bless this Advent week with hope, peace, joy, and love.
