Christmas to most of the world means bright lights, festive decorations, and folks rushing around making holiday preparations and giving/receiving gifts. But this sacred season should provide a time for Christian believers and non-believers alike to contemplate the profound significance of Christ’s incarnation. WHY? Because this is the point around which all of human history revolves. Paul’s letter to the Galatians describes this transforming moment. (Galatians 4:4-5)
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
In many Christian traditions, the liturgical calendar begins with Advent which marks the beginning of the Christmas season. This is a time of spiritual preparation to remember the birth of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The period of preparation encompasses the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. Each Sunday has its own unique theme symbolizing that spiritual journey towards the arrival of the Messiah.
Typically, the Advent celebration is illustrated by using four candles placed equal distance apart on a table wreath. There is also a larger candle placed in the center. One candle is lit each of the four Sundays of Advent and the center candle is lit on Christmas Eve. Week-by-week, as each new candle is lit, the room grows brighter, symbolizing the growing light that Jesus Christ brought to the world (John 8:12):
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The first candle represents HOPE and symbolizes the promise of the Messiah’s coming. This first light offers a glimmer of hope to the darkness of the world. (Jeremiah 29:11)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a HOPE.”
The second candle, lit the second Sunday of Advent, symbolizes PEACE. (Ephesians 2:14)
“For He Himself is our PEACE, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”
The third candle represents JOY, infusing the season with cheerful celebration. With three candles lit,the room becomes brighter and the darkness begins to fade. (Isaiah 29:19)
“The humble also shall increase [their] JOY in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.”
The fourth candle represents God’s great LOVE, (1 John 4:10)
“In this is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.”
The center candle is typically lit on Christmas Eve – sometimes on Christmas Day. It represents the culmination of the “Christmas Story” and celebrates the birth, or Advent, of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Read this amazing, life-changing story in the Bible (Matthew 1:18 – Matthew 2:1-23 and Luke 2:1-40) and be filled with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE that only Jesus Christ can give you. HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!