The third candle of Advent celebrates the joy of Christ's coming to earth.
It is a reminder that no earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Pure joy comes from rejoicing in the good news of Jesus’ birth, and His power to bring hope, peace, love and salvation to all people.
The lighting of the candle on the second Sunday of Advent marks Jesus' forthcoming birth as the promise of peace on earth.
Jesus is the "Prince of Peace' and one of the hallmarks of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim:
'Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to all men
on whom his favour rests.' (Luke 2:14)
Christmas lights and candles offer a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world, and he came to bring light into the darkness.
This theme of light is what originally gave birth to the Advent Wreath in Lutheran Germany. The Advent Wreath is typically evergreen and contains five candles, each lit on successive Sundays during the Advent readings.
Advent readings can vary within churches and denominations. Our verse for the First Advent Sunday, which in 2023 falls on 3 December, relates to Hope and is taken from Isaiah 9:2.
God always listens to us and hears what we are asking of him.
He only wants the best for each of us, and will never give us second best.
He is our protector and our true source of hope and truth.
When we place our trust in him and delight in his kindness and generosity,
he will fulfil our heart's desires.
Amen
'If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.' (Romans 8:25)
As hope sustains those who are suffering, the Holy Spirit is able to help in prayer.
The relationship between the Holy Spirit and God is so close that the Holy Spirit's prayers do not need to be spoken in words, as God knows his every thought.
'He who searches our hears knows the mind of the spirit.' (Romans 8: 27)
This lovely verse from 'The Day of the Lord' in Joel brings both calm and hope.
The book of Joel focuses on prophecies that Joel made after the land of Judah was afflicted with a severe drought and a plague of locusts.
These prophecies tell of many signs to precede the 'Second Coming of the Saviour', especially a great outpouring of the Spirit upon all people.
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches shouting,
'Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the King of Israel!'
Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
'Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt.'
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
John 12:12-16
Sheep are gentle, sensitive, intelligent creatures, who have much in common with humans and feature more in the bible than any other animal.
They are led by their shepherds to be the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus, and he often refers to himself as the good shepherd who tenderly cares for his flock.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I will lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3)
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11)
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray." (Isaiah 53:6)
These are just a handful of verses, to which many more can be added. But they offer a reminder of how special these lovely, gentle animals were, and are, to our Lord.
Because of the Lord's great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.
(Lamentations 3: 22-24)
Wishing everyone in The Connexion community - and beyond - a very Happy New Year!
We pray that 2023 will bring you peace, joy and love.
(Image - Birmingham Museums Trust)