As I write this, the second Sunday in Advent is nearing … where is the time going, before we know it we’ll be once again celebrating the birth of the Christ child!
And, in the meantime, as we meet and talk with family, friends and others … we wish them a Merry Christmas, not “happy holidays” … unless it’s a Jewish person, then you can wish them “Happy Hanukkah, which this year begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 16th and continues for eight days, ending on Christmas Eve.
Back to Advent and the Advent wreath and its five candles, which is found in most Christian churches this time of year:
The Advent Wreath helps us count down the Sundays until Christmas. The three purple candles represent the darkness in the world before Christ’s coming. The single rose (pink) candle gives us a glimpse of anticipated joy in His coming, and the center white Christ candle represents the good news that Christ has come.
It’s on Christmas Eve that the Christ Candle is lighted, declaring Jesus has arrived! In lighting this candle, all are reminded that Immanuel has come; “God with us” is reality. The light of Christ comes to push away all darkness. Light and life to all He brings!
The nineteenth century author Washington Irving wrote:
“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”
And from WWII era British Prime Minister Winston Churchill:
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing … but of reflection.”
Let us use this season of Advent to reflect on our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ … and all He did for us!
