The fourth candle of Advent reminds us of God's Love.

The virtues of love, hope, peace and joy are important in the Christmas story as well as our Christian faith and journey with Christ.

1Corinthians (13) tells us: 'And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'

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 2022 falls on 27 November, relates to Hope and is taken from Isaiah 9:2.

Although we may at times have a desperate desire to understand what is happening - or will happen - in our lives, there are many areas that we just cannot understand.

Instead, this Proverb advises us that we must acknowledge and trust entirely in God, who has his own way of doing things.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8)

Closing the Sermon on the Mount with this parable draws attention to the importance of exercising wisdom and discernment, building our lives on the bedrock of Jesus.

Some other useful verses that focus on wisdom and discernment:

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

1John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

The Bible is rich in verses about God's love for

people who are living in poverty, and for our

Christian responsibility to care for the poor and

the oppressed, and help communities in need.

Today and every day, this verse from Galatians offers us a
reminder of the importance of freedom and the need to
love your neighbour as yourself.

When we find ourselves descending into a state of worry, these reassuring words from
Jesus have the power to raise us back to where he would like us to be!

Each of you should look not only
to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:4-5