Candlelight At Advent
Stories
LECTIONARY TALES FOR THE PULPIT
Series III, Cycle A
The church year is dictated not by a fiscal or chronological calendar, but a religious calendar that revolves around the events of the life of Christ. Since the sixth or seventh century, the first day of the church year begins with the first Sunday of Advent, which means "arrival." As Christians, we anticipate the arrival of baby Jesus.
Advent begins an exciting time of anticipation to the celebration of the birth of Christ. Children especially love the symbols of the Advent season of the church. Many churches light the Advent candles, one by one, as a "countdown" toward Christmas.
Some churches use four blue (which stands for royalty and signifies hope), purple (for wealth), or white (for the purity of Jesus Christ) candles. Many use three white and one pink (for joy) candle. Still others use a combination of colors. However it is done, there are four candles used for the four Sundays that lead up to the Nativity of Our Lord.
The first candle is the Prophecy Candle, used to remind us that God has promised to rebuild broken lives and give us spiritual prosperity. The Prophecy Candle is lit to help us recall God's never--ending love and grace.
The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, reminds us that Jesus could have been born in a palace with royal appointments all around. He could have been born in regal splendor. He could have had a bed of purple silk or velvet, the costliest of all fabrics, a sign of royalty and immeasurable wealth. Instead, God uses ordinary elements and ordinary people. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem, in a barn, in a manger filled with hay, wrapped in rags.
The Shepherd's Candle comes in the third week of Advent, pointing to the Supreme Shepherd in Jesus Christ. As sheep need a shepherd, so we need Jesus to guide us, to care for us, and to watch over us.
The Angel Candle, the last candle, reminds us that the angel of the Lord said, "Do not be afraid for I bring you good tidings of great joy." We need not fear the unknown or the future. God looks upon us with love, grace, and mercy.
Four candles, four Sundays, four weeks of anticipation. Four points to ponder as each candle lights our way in our journey of reflection this Advent season. May each candle light something within you as you experience God's gift of Jesus Christ.
Advent begins an exciting time of anticipation to the celebration of the birth of Christ. Children especially love the symbols of the Advent season of the church. Many churches light the Advent candles, one by one, as a "countdown" toward Christmas.
Some churches use four blue (which stands for royalty and signifies hope), purple (for wealth), or white (for the purity of Jesus Christ) candles. Many use three white and one pink (for joy) candle. Still others use a combination of colors. However it is done, there are four candles used for the four Sundays that lead up to the Nativity of Our Lord.
The first candle is the Prophecy Candle, used to remind us that God has promised to rebuild broken lives and give us spiritual prosperity. The Prophecy Candle is lit to help us recall God's never--ending love and grace.
The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, reminds us that Jesus could have been born in a palace with royal appointments all around. He could have been born in regal splendor. He could have had a bed of purple silk or velvet, the costliest of all fabrics, a sign of royalty and immeasurable wealth. Instead, God uses ordinary elements and ordinary people. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem, in a barn, in a manger filled with hay, wrapped in rags.
The Shepherd's Candle comes in the third week of Advent, pointing to the Supreme Shepherd in Jesus Christ. As sheep need a shepherd, so we need Jesus to guide us, to care for us, and to watch over us.
The Angel Candle, the last candle, reminds us that the angel of the Lord said, "Do not be afraid for I bring you good tidings of great joy." We need not fear the unknown or the future. God looks upon us with love, grace, and mercy.
Four candles, four Sundays, four weeks of anticipation. Four points to ponder as each candle lights our way in our journey of reflection this Advent season. May each candle light something within you as you experience God's gift of Jesus Christ.
