ADVENT WEEK 5 - Christ Candle

I pray that we have all taken time these last 4weeks of Advent to take time to prepare ourselves, our heart and soul for celebrating the coming of the Savior – celebrating both when He came but also coming again – it’s a time to pause and to refocus our thinking

Have you taken the time these past weeks to recalculate your priorities and make Him not a priority but our main priority?

I’ve heard whispers, people have asked my kids and some have even asked me – isn’t that 5th candle not supposed to be lit until Christmas Eve?

Tradition would say yes, you are right – the white Christ Candle if included in the Advent Wreath should not be lit until the 5thweek, Christmas Eve service, but I wanted to do something different and symbolic.

If you noticed each week – the white candle, the Christ Candle was lit –

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus – born at night – amidst the darkness – light pushes and dispels darkness

Jesus the light of the World is our source of Hope – week 1 –

Romans 15:13– May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 8:25– But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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Isaiah 40:31– But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Jesus is our Hope for Today

Jesus is our Hope for Tomorrow

Isaiah 9:6 - his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So we used the light from the Christ Candle to light our candle of Hope

Jesus the light of the World is our source of Peace – week 2 –

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

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John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So we used the light from the Christ Candle to light our candle of Peace.

‌ Jesus the light of the World is our source of Love – week 3 –

Remember God’s Love has a plan

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God’s Love is Abiding

John 15:9–11 – As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

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God’s Love must be extended

Romans 5:8 – But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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James 1:22 – And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent

So we used the light from the Christ Candle to light our candle of Love.

‌Jesus the light of the World is our source of Joy – week 4 –

Philippians 4:4-5 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

So we used the light from the Christ Candle to light our candle of Joy.

Hurry to worship - hurry to His Word - Hurry to His presence so His Joy may abound!

We have one final song before we get to the candle lighting – Light of the World – just as Jesus said of Himself – I am the Light of the World – it is His light that needs to shine.