Pastor Lou

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8

A SILENT MESSAGE

On November 30, we begin the season of Advent. The word “advent” means “coming”. So we celebrate past, present, and future of how our Savior comes to our world. We remember how Jesus “came” on the first Christmas; how Jesus may “come” now into our lives; and in hope how Jesus “will come again.”

Our Advent wreath is a silent reminder of our waiting in hope. As we light the candles week by week, it is a representation of our watchfulness and our increasing joy of Christ’s birth. The lighting of the wreath’s candles is a common practice among many churches on the four Sundays leading to Christmas.

The circular wreath symbolized the everlasting love of God that has no beginning nor ending and is continuous.

The candles help us to remember that Jesus brought light and life to a dark world (John 1:4-5). Four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. One tradition holds that each candle stands for 4,000 years of Bible history, which was a traditional reckoning from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus. Some connect the four candles with various themes: like, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Another theme is Prophecy, Bethlehem, the Shepherds, and the Magi.

Different color combinations for the candles are used depending upon the church. Some have all white candles. Other congregations have three purple, one pink, and one white candles. Our congregation has four blue candles with the large white Christ candle.

Blue is a color that represents not only royalty but also hope. For some, the blue candles denote the night sky in which the angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.

The large white candle is the Christ candle which symbolizes the “light of the world”, Jesus our Savior.  White symbolizes purity. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve.

Let us light our Advent Wreath so that we might remember that Jesus is why we celebrate this season. Let us light candles of

            GRACE to hold and inspire us daily;

            HOPE when despair seems so strong;

            PEACE amid all the cruel storms we face;    

            JOY despite all the present sadness.

In our hearts and lives may the light of Christ burn throughout the year, and always. May you both experience a real Christmas and may you have opportunities to share that joy.

Blessed Advent and Christmas,

Pastor Lou