Christmas Eve - Advent - The Christ Candle
The Christ candle represents the light of God come to Earth in human form, the form a baby. That baby came to Earth to go to the cross, to be the sacrifice for all of our sins. His sacrifice made up for the annual temple sacrifice which could never atone once, for all, for all our sins.
From John 1:4-5
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it
The Christ Candle fills a similar function as the Paschal Candle at Easter. It represents the work of Christ to us, our light in the darkness through his birth, life, death, and resurrection.
What should our response be?
Matthew 5:16 clearly tells us:
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. And as John said in 1 john 1:5 -7 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin
Merry Christmas all!
Fourth Sunday of Advent
What Does the Fourth Advent Candle Stand for?
While Advent wreaths as we know them have been around for nearly 200 years, the tradition of celebrating Advent goes back much further. As a result, advent wreath designs and the number of Advent candles vary worldwide and across denominations.
In contemporary Western Christianity, the typical Advent wreath has four candles inside an evergreen wreath. Each one is lit during a new week of Advent and has a particular meaning attached to it. Candle 1 is known as “Hope, or sometimes, the Prophet’s Candle,” and it stands for hope. Candle 2 is known as “the Peace, or Bethlehem Candle,” and stands for peace. Candle 3 known as “the Joy Candle” and stands for joy. Candle 4 is known as “the Love Candle, also often called the Angel’s Candle,” and stands for love.
Some Christians add a fifth candle, known as “Christ’s Candle,” which stands for baby Jesus. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the culmination of Advent.
Third Sunday of Advent - Joy Candle
For the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Churches, this Sunday is also often called "Gaudete" (Gaudete is from the Latin, which means Rejoice) So, we are to be joyful at the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. He will save His people.
Second Sunday Of Advent - The Peace/Bethlehem Candle
This is the second Sunday of Advent - the lighting of the Peace Candle, also called the Bethlehem Candle. This candle points to a future of peace, one which will last forever. But first, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, in the most humble of circumstances. Then, amazingly to some, He needed to go to the Cross, eventually, he will return, then, and only then, will everlasting peace come to pass. It's up to you to understand and receive Him into your heart. Only you can decide that for yourself.
Until that time, we remember the birth of the Christ child, in the most humble of circumstances.
Advent - First Sunday - Candle Of Hope
What Is Advent?
Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy. And while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.
Why Is Advent Important?
Advent can be a simple and fun tradition of counting down to Christmas. But for others—particularly those who believe Jesus to be the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah—Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.
What about the First Candle of Advent?
The first candle of Advent, represents the Hope of the arrival of the coming Messiah, Jesus, the redeemer. He was to reconcile man to God, sacrificing Himself on the cross to save us.