The Christ Candle

 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:1-14 ESV).

 

One most Advent Wreaths there are five candles, four on the perimeter and one in the center. This remaining candle is called “the Christ candle.” The Christ candle is saved for last and lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning according to most traditions. The Christ candle is in the center because the Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the center of Christmas. The four outer candles are all important, but they only make sense with Jesus at the center. Christmas is a time of hope, peace, joy and love, but once again, this is only because of Jesus. As we make our preparations for Christmas this year, I want us to look at Jesus as the center of Christmas. To do that we will revisit each of the first four candles briefly.

 

§  First, let’s look at the hope of Christ. Jesus is the center of Christmas because there is no real hope without Christ. We also learned that the whole advent season is all about hope and anticipation. It’s about the people of the Old Testament waiting all those long years for Christ to come. And it’s also about us who are waiting and longing for Christ’s return. God promised to send Jesus the first time, and he did. God has promised to send Jesus a second time, and he will. Christmas is all about hope because it’s all about Christ.

 

§  Second, let’s look at the peace of Christ. There is no real peace without Christ. Jesus brings peace with self and with others through the reconciliation of atonement.  The religious or political leaders of this world cannot bring peace. Medicine and science cannot bring peace. Only Jesus brings true and lasting peace.

 

§  Third, Jesus brings joy. He brings the joy of salvation. This joy is deeper than happiness. Happiness is temporary and dependent on circumstances. But Jesus offers you a joy that transcends your circumstances. Jesus brings a joy that is deeper than happiness and even deeper than our sorrows. There is no real joy without Christ.

 

§  Fourth, Jesus is the center of Christmas because without His work there is no real love. When we looked at the advent candle of love, we saw Joseph’s love for Mary as he looked out for her best interests even when he thought she had been unfaithful to him. We saw Mary’s love for Jesus as she wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger. We saw God’s love for sinners in sending his own Son into the world as a sacrifice for our sins. And we saw our love for others which is a natural response to God’s love for us.

 

This week above all else celebrate the coming of Christ, our Savior!