Today is the third Sunday of Advent. It’s the day we light the only pink candle on the Advent wreath—the Shepherds Candle. The Shepherds Candle emphasizes the joy of finding the Christ Child and sharing this joy with others. The color pink points us to the joy of the Advent season—pink in the midst of purple, joy in the midst of seriousness and repentance. As we’ve considered before, the joy of Christmas is set against a backdrop of sorrow and longing. Our joy at receiving God’s gift grows as we long for Jesus’ arrival.
[Read more…] about The Shepherds CandleAdvent
God Will Give Joy
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
That opening line from one of our best-known Christmas carols announces the good news that Jesus has invaded our broken world and has brought us joy.
[Read more…] about God Will Give JoySharing the Joy
Have you ever been so excited about something that you just had to tell someone? You didn’t have to force yourself to share your joy; the words just tumbled out spontaneously. That’s what the shepherds experienced when they saw Jesus in the manger.
[Read more…] about Sharing the JoyThe Focus of Our Joy
On Christmas morning children all over the world will wake up and head for the Christmas tree. They’ll eagerly open their presents and then burst into expressions of happiness. Most will remember to thank their parents and others who gave them their gifts. Then they’ll turn their focus back to their new toys, games, clothes, candy, books, and whatever else they received.
[Read more…] about The Focus of Our JoyGod’s Joy
We enjoy giving presents to our friends and loved ones. God delights to give, too. Although we may not often think about Christmas from God’s perspective, we shouldn’t be surprised that He finds joy in giving Himself to us, because our God is a generous God.
[Read more…] about God’s JoyThe Joy of Forgiveness
Advent is a season of anticipating, of longing, of waiting for God to meet our needs. The author of Psalm 130 expresses his longing as a cry to God for mercy and forgiveness.
[Read more…] about The Joy of ForgivenessThe Miracles of Christmas
The Christmas story is full of miracles. For many people, the Virgin Birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) is the first Christmas miracle that comes to mind. With God as His Father and Mary as His mother, Jesus came into this world as the God-Man, fully God and fully man.
[Read more…] about The Miracles of ChristmasThe Angels Candle
Today is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. On this day we light the Angels Candle to remind ourselves of Christ’s divinity and the blessings He brings to us. This candle’s purple color emphasizes Jesus’ royalty. Our Messiah is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
[Read more…] about The Angels CandleThe Big Picture
Advent is almost over and Christmas is almost here! Over the last few weeks we’ve zoomed in on many different aspects of Advent and Christmas. Today we’re going to step back and look at the big picture by reading the entire account of Jesus’ birth as recorded by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke. They each write from a slightly different perspective, and reading one or both narratives is a great way to get the whole story in our minds as we’re about to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
[Read more…] about The Big PictureGod with Us
Tonight is Christmas Eve! On this night we light the final candle of our Advent wreath—the Christ Candle. The Christ Candle reminds us that God is with us and that He has brought us salvation. The candle’s white color signifies celebration and purity.
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