(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Advent Devotional, "Jesus, Light of the World," for preparing to light all of the Advent Candles and the Christ candle.)
"Since the creation of the world when God said, 'Let there be light,' our dark world has been influenced by the illuminating quality of light. God always intended for the darkness to be separated from the light, and that principle has deep spiritual ramifications as well. Once, while we were still sinners, Christ came into the world bringing His light, so that we might come in faith to Him. When we did, we began to walk in the Light of Christ.
Today, as we consider all of the Advent Candles and their significance to our walk, we are again reminded of the importance of light in the Christmas story as we have been studying it in this blog devotional. Think back with me to the very first candle of Advent, the Prophesy Candle. Isaiah told us of the coming of the Messiah. He told us of a Light that would come out of Galilee; that those who walked in darkness would see this light; and that the Light would shine on them. Later, Isaiah said to us all, 'Arise, shine, for the Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.' His prophecy foretells the Light of Christ coming into the souls of humans who have been darkened by the sin found in their hearts. Once inside of us, though, this Light will now be seen by others who walk in the same darkness in which we once walked. How we thank you Lord, for the prophets of old who told us that You would come.
Next, let's contemplate the Bethlehem Candle, our second Advent Candle. We remember that God revealed the Light of the world to an obscure village and its people. On a dark hillside outside of Bethlehem, the shepherds were astonished when all at once an angel lit up the entire night sky with all the glory of Heaven itself. The angel stood in the shepherds' presence and declared to then the good news of great joy. But God did not stop with just one angel. He sent down a multitude of these heavenly bodies who brought glory to the Christ Child, the Light of the world, and the warmth of the Light surrounding them comforted the shepherds as they heard the good news of a Savior who had been born in Bethlehem.
As we consider the only pink candle in the Advent Wreath, our thoughts return again to the words of the angels. This pink candle, the third Advent Candle, represents the good news of salvation in Christ alone. Because this Infant God would bear in His body our sin, of which He would die from the punishment He would take for us, we would no longer have to be separated from God if we would but realize that His bloodshed was the only punishment needed for our sinfulness. The color of the candle represents blood that now saves us, something we could never do for ourselves. Jesus accomplish this salvation because He was the perfect and holy sacrifice that was required. Now we must share this good news of salvation in Christ with others, carrying to others the only Light that can now brighten their darkness like the noonday sun.
Our last candle in the wreath, the third purple one, causes us to remember the wise men who traveled so very far to come and worship whomever the star would lead them to. By a bright heavenly star, God lead these brilliant men to a tiny child who would become the Savior of the world. These men followed a light to the Light! To follow the directions of the star was their obedience to God, and such obedience led them to the Light. This candle, the Wise Men Candle, teaches us what our response should now be to so great a Light and Salvation. We should, like them, follow with joy, obeying all He tells us to do.
We have one last candle to light. It is not in the wreath itself, but stands tall above the four, in the center of the wreath. This is the Christ Candle and it symbolizes the purity and holiness of Christ, the One who is to be the most see in all that we do, a shining example of who we are to be. The light of His candle should prompt our hearts and spirits to reflect that same light, His light. The Christ Candle calls believers to a deeper walk of commitment as we face the coming New Year. So let's join our spirits together in a prayer of just such a commitment as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Light of your world and mine. Will you pray with me?
Precious Light of the world, how we desire to worship You in a new and fresh way. Today, we want to offer You a sacrifice similar to the wise men who brought their very best to You. Teach us the deeper meaning of Your birthday story.
In the coming year . . .
- let us arise from our complacency and shine Your light to others, lighting their way to You,
- let us run to meet with You, Jesus, and then run to tell others of Your transforming light,
- let us remember the sinful state from which we have been saved and learn to walk daily in the light of Your salvation
- and let us follow diligently after You, O Bright and Morning Star, for You are the Light of the world, and our Light and salvation, and we rejoice in You! In Your holy and most precious name we pray, Amen."
Watch for more blogs after the New Year!
Blessings to you all!
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