By now the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has enveloped your world unless you are a scrooge or the Grinch. Ha Ha
And yet I write …
With the hope …
You will be blessed by putting the most amazing blessing first—Jesus Christ.
Over the past three weeks of advent we have allowed the Prophet's Candle of HOPE, the Bethlehem Candle of FAITH, and the Shepherd's candle of JOY to spark our Christmas season into flame. This last week of advent we will light the Angel's Candle of LOVE and on Christmas day you will light the final candle in the middle of your wreath representing JESUS CHRIST. My prayer for you is that the flicker of flame will grow into a rip-roaring fire of Hope, Faith, Joy and Love within your soul, not just for the Advent season but throughout the New Year.
The fourth candle of love—is the Angel's candle. They had a front row seat to the love that came into this world in the form of a baby, grew to be a man, suffered and died, rose from the dead, and so impacted the world that over 2000 years later the name of Jesus Christ is the most powerful name known.
John 3:16,17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Let's not brush over these familiar words but let them soak in and see how God will use them to impact our family, our friends, our loved ones whom we will be with this Christmas season.
"Will not perish," does not mean we will not leave this earth. It means to be eternally separated from God. That word "perish" includes eternal suffering according to the Word of God. (I know this not a warm and fuzzy Christmas theme) but the truth is that Jesus Christ—Yeshua, came for a reason. He died for a reason. He loves for a reason. And those who do not believe are precious in His sight. Let's light that candle of love and share truth with our family this Christmas.
The Angel's Candle signifies the love of Jesus Christ which the angels know intimately…
Tens of thousands of angels gather around the throne in heaven, at this moment. They continuously praise God … Rev. 5:12,13 "Saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing. …Blessings and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne And to the Lamb forever and ever!"
So light that fourth candle of love and know you are loved by a great God. Join in praise with the angels.
On Christmas day light that large middle candle—the Christ candle, as a reminder of the light and hope Jesus brings into this troubled world. May this light that lives within you shine brightly.
Take a moment to read John 1:14 "And the Word (another name for Jesus Christ) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." And then read Luke 2:1-40 the Christmas story. Include your family and friends.
The advent season is wrapped up in the wonderful truth of hope, faith, joy, and love because of Jesus Christ. Join the angels and share this resounding message of good tidings and great joy—He has come, and He will come again. Amen!
Listen to this amazing rendition of "Oh Holy Night"by Hillsong while you light your candle and meditate on the goodness of God's love and mercy.
Readings for the fourth week of Advent:
- Monday – Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah prophesies of the coming Immanuel. Luke 1: 26-38 Gabriel Announces Christ's Birth
- Tuesday/Christmas Eve – Matthew 1:18-25 Birth of Christ
- Wednesday/Christmas, light the Christ Candle and read – Luke 2: 1-20 Birth of Christ
- Thursday – Matthew 2: 1-14 Wise men visit. Flight to Egypt
- Friday – Isaiah 9: 2-7 Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
- Saturday – Luke 2:21-35 Simeon's Prophecy over Jesus
- Sunday – Luke 2: 39-51 Jesus as a child
May you be blessed with a wonderful Christmas.