Today we continue our celebration of Advent. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas, we rejoiced in the gift that is ours in Jesus Christ. Each week we lit a new candle of the Advent wreath.
The candles signify that Jesus is the Light of the World.
The evergreens remind us that He is life and brings life to us.
The candles are arranged in a circle because life in Christ has no end.
Today, we will again light each of the four candles of the advent wreath and conclude by lighting an additional candle, the center one, the Christ candle.
Four weeks ago we began our journey toward Christmas and lit the first candle of advent, the Hope or Prophecy candle.
Isaiah 7:14 and Romans 15:12-13 tell us.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Three weeks ago we lit the second candle of advent, the Peace candle. Let us remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins, and give us peace with God.
Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Two weeks ago we lit the candle of Joy.
Luke 2:8-11 tells us.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Last week we lit the Love candle.
John 3:16-17 tells us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
Jesus Christ is the true reason for hope, peace, joy, and love in this season and forever as John 1:9-14 reminds us.
As we light the Christ candle, celebrating the end of Advent and the arrival of Christ and Christmas,
Let us remember how our savior came once as a lowly baby, that the world through him might be saved, and how he will return one day in glory.