The Fifth and Final Candle: The Christ Candle

Hello Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Did you have a wonderful Christmas? Did Santa stop by your house this year? What was your favorite gift to open? What was your favorite gift to give? As we get ready to close this chapter of the year and begin a new chapter in a just a few days, there is one more thing I wish to share with you.

If you have been following these posts throughout the Advent Season, then you may have noticed that we have talked about four different candles: hope, peace, joy, and last week we talked about the candle of love. These candles are called Advent Candles, and each Sunday during Advent we lit one of the candles. If you are familiar with the Advent Candles, you will note that we are missing one candle. The Christ Candle: the fifth and final Advent Candle.

On Christmas Eve, under dim lighting and the sound of people singing “Silent Night, Holy Night,” the fifth and final candle was lit: the Christ Candle, which sits in the middle of the Advent Wreath. The Christ Candle, which represents the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season is what guides us through life: it symbolizes the light of Christ which perpetually shines in our life and which no amount of darkness can conquer it. So, before the this year ends and the new year begins, let’s take a moment to reflect on the Candle that changed the world.

The Christ Candle is our reminder that Christ is lighting our world, His creation, with continual hope, peace, joy, and love. The Christ Candle is God’s promise to us that He has sent His one and only begotten Son so that “whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And the Christ Candle is our assurance that Jesus Christ will forever be the light unto our path (Psalm 119:105) providing us light even in the darkest of times.

As you take some time to reflect upon what the Christ Candle means to you, keep in my mind that although the Christ Candle may only be lit once a year, it shines for eternity in your heart. And as it shines, you are to do as the Psalmist notes, “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2). The Christ Candle is the light of the world, it is the light in our life, and it is a reminder that Christ is always with us no matter what kind of situations we find ourselves in.

As we wrap up the Advent Season, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have learned. Advent is about waiting for the Messiah to come. Do you ever wonder if Jesus eagerly awaited his appointed time to arrive? Did our rescuer see the hurt in the world and long to save us, to bring light to the darkness?

“In the beginning was the Word…” John begins his gospel by telling of the Christmas story in a different way. Jesus is God’s Word, and he existed before time began. Since Jesus was with the Father right from the start, that means Jesus saw Adam and Eve turn their backs on God. He watched the Israelites worship the golden calf, Baal, and other false gods. He witnessed the kings of Judah make many bad choices and fall further away from God. He waited for the time when he would come to earth as Immanuel (which means “God with us”).

When Jesus came, the world didn’t recognize him; they did not really understand who the Messiah was. They were expecting a mighty warrior, a king who would defeat the Romans. Instead, they got a baby in a manger. They were expecting violence, battles, and death. Instead, God gave his people an unexpected gift that was far better than they could have ever hoped or imagined. Jesus brought them hope, peace, joy, and God’s unending love.

During these past four weeks, we waited patiently to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Jesus gives us hope in God’s promises for us today and for eternity. He gives us peace because we know he will never leave us. We have joy because he has defeated sin and saved us. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus down to earth to become a human and live with people just like us. And now we the light of Christ guiding us through life. Advent changes everything through hope, peace, joy, love, and light. In everything we do, let’s show how Jesus’ unexpected arrival has changed everything.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you next year…

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Post influenced by: https://kidscorner.net/devotions/christmas-jesus-has-changed-everything