There are several different purposes why candles are connected with Christmas, But it is for sure that no one knows when they first ever became connected! They were used while ancient winter solstice celebrations remembrance of that spring would soon come.

From one of the oldest records of candles being used at Christmas is from the middle ages, where a large candle was used to express the star of 'Bethlehem'. Jesus Christ also sometimes called 'the Light of the World' by Christians. This might have started the custom of the Advent Crown and Advent Candles. Candles are also used during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of light which is also observed during winter. During the eight nights of Hanukkah, a candle is lit in a special menorah (candelabra) called a 'hanukkiyah'. Candles are also used in the winter festival Kwanzaa, where a special candle holder called a kinara, that holds seven candles is used.

Possibly the most popular use of candles at Christmas is Carols by Candlelight Services. This help when the church is only lit by candles. Candles were also formerly used to decorate Christmas Trees until safer electric lights were invented! In few parts of Ireland, it was traditional to have a Yule candle rather than of a Yule Log. In Southern India, Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to celebrate Christmas. Christians in China use paper lanterns to decorate their Christmas trees. Candles are also used as part of the St. Lucia's or St. Lucy's day celebrations in Sweden.