“The Advent Wreath”

Our church enjoys the tradition of the Advent Wreath.  The Advent Wreath symbolizes what we need for Christmas (and all year long).  Evergreen branches are used to symbolize eternal life. They are formed into a circle to represent eternity.

There are traditions about the meaning of the candles. I prefer one of the most traditional.

The first purple candle represents hope. Without hope we are hopeless. The Apostle Paul tells us that “Jesus Christ
[is] our hope” in 1 Timothy 1:1. Jesus came not only to bring hope, but to be our hope.

The second purple candle represents love. John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus. The Bible teaches that “we love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The third candle is pink to represent joy. God wants us to be happy. True joy is much more than happiness. When
Jesus was born, the Angel of the Lord told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of
great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

The fourth candle is purple; it represents peace. Shalom is the Hebrew word used in the Bible for peace. It means to be safe, satisfied, and whole. These days there are many reasons we don’t feel “shalom” in our lives. Jesus said, “my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The fifth candle is in the center and it is white. It is the Christ candle. It represents the purity and light of Jesus that should be in the center of our lives. We light this candle on Christmas Eve to remind us that God’s light has come into a dark world.

This Christmas Season and always, may you have hope, love, joy and peace through Jesus Christ. Most of all my
wish is that you may enjoy eternal and abundant life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

“May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Pastor Steve