December is upon us. Many refer to it as “The most wonderful time of the year!” For those of us in the Christian faith, it is the season of Advent. Advent is the season of waiting; specifically, we await the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day. Advent is a journey we are invited to take every year. It is a time we remind ourselves that we are still awaiting Christ’s return to earth. Within this waiting we, as Christians, are reminded of the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love found in Christ.
There are four weeks in Advent, which then gives way to the 12 days of Christmas beginning on Christmas day. Each week in Advent we light a candle on our Advent wreaths. They represent, in their turn: hope, peace, joy, and love. These are characteristics all Christians are called to share, and certainly characteristics we all hope to have in our daily lives.
As we light the first candle of Hope, we are reminded of the Hope of Christ’s return. The second coming of Jesus has often been used as a means of scaring or manipulating people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. We try not to focus on Christ’s coming in a punitive way but recognize that he plans to return to the world he created, loves, and redeemed through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Our hope is not just in his return, but in the love we have experienced through Jesus Christ. We hope you have this hope as well.
The second candle we light is the candle of Peace. So many define “peace” as an absence of conflict. Yet, the Hebrew understanding of peace (shalom) refers more to a sense of balance and equity among the people. The peace we celebrate in Christ is a peace we are meant to share as we serve others. We give of our time, talents, and resources so that other people may experience shalom in their lives. Above all, the peace of Christ is meant to be the motivation we have to follow him in sacrificial service to others.
Joy is the third candle we light. This candle is often pink or rose-colored because this is the liturgical color of joy (the other three candles are all purple or blue). We celebrate the joy experienced on the day of Jesus’ birth as well as recognizing that we have reached the midway point in Advent. The joy we find in Christ is unconditional and should never be confused with the conditional happiness we often seek in the material things of life. We’re reminded that true joy isn’t found under the tree on Christmas morning, but in Jesus Christ.
The fourth candle, then, is the candle of love. Hope, peace, and joy are all tangible, visible aspects of love. Indeed, we all hope for love, rest in it when we find it, and rejoice when it is experienced. 1 John 4:8 and 16 both declare that “God is love.” In Christ, we find the fulfillment of all our hopes, peace, and joy.
On Christmas Eve, when we gather, we light the Christ candle. This is the fifth candle in the Advent wreath, and it is typically a white candle. It stands above the other candles. When we light it, we remember that Jesus is the light of the world. We celebrate that his birth gives life to us all if we would simply ask for it.
Undoubtedly, we will all be busy this December. We’ll go to children’s or grand-children’s programs, Christmas parties, Christmas concerts, and to the store for the last-minute gifts we thought we had more time to get. While you’re out and about, I would encourage you to see how many churches are near your home or work. I would encourage you to stop by on Christmas Eve and see what we think all the fuss is about. It is, indeed, our collective Christian hope that you find the peace and joy we experience through Christ’s love.
If you happen to live or work near Cave Mill Road, we would love to have you join us on Christmas Eve at 716 Cave Mill Road. Our Christmas Eve services will be at 5pm in our Family Life Center (FLC) and 11pm in our Sanctuary. Above all, I pray that all who are reading this have a wonderful Advent, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
-by Rev. Dr. Matt Seel
Lead Pastor of Christ Global Methodist Church
Join us Sundays at 8:45am in the Sanctuary, 11am in the FLC, or online at christchurchbg.org
