Since we’re getting close to Christmas, I thought I’d talk about Christmas and the Advent season. Whether people want to admit it or not, Christmas is fundamentally a Christian holiday. It’s a day when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, yet, for almost two-thousand years, Christians have been celebrating Jesus’ birth on this special day.
To prepare for Christmas, many Christians observe the four weeks of Advent. Advent is a time to remember the purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world. Jesus came to deliver us from our sins. That’s why we call Jesus our “Savior”. On each of the four weeks of Advent, a candle is lit to recall one of four special aspects of Jesus’ ministry on earth.
The first candle of Advent is the candle of Prophecy. The candle of Prophecy reminds us that God promised to send a Savior to his people. The promised Savior is Jesus–God’s Messiah who came to save us from our sins. The second candle of Advent is the candle of Hope. The candle of Hope reminds us that God will always be victorious over darkness. Jesus, who is the light of the world, can shine his glory into our lives so that no matter how dark the world may seem, we can always find hope with God. The third candle of Advent is the candle of Joy. The candle of Joy reminds us that God wants to fill our lives with unspeakable joy. God wants you to give him all your cares and all your worries so he can fill you with his joy. The fourth candle of Advent is the candle of Peace. The candle of Peace reminds us that Jesus is the prince of peace & God’s kingdom is a kingdom of peace.
As you celebrate the Jesus’ birth this Christmas, try to focus your heart and mind on the true reason for the season—the arrival of God’s Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior and the only one who can give you the hope, the joy, and the peace that you truly long for.
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