This is the third week of Advent. Some people use an Advent wreath for the four weeks preceding Christmas with 4 candles around a central 5th candle. The 4 candles are usually purple (3 of them) and pink (one of them), and the central candle is white. The first week of Advent one purple candle is lit, and the second week 2 purple ones are lit. But on this third week of Advent the pink one is lit.
Each candle has a meaning associated with it. The first one is the candle of Hope or the Prophecy candle, symbolizing our hope in God's promises through the prophets that he would send the Messiah. The second one is the candle of Preparation or Peace, or the Bethlehem candle, symbolizing our peaceful getting ready for the coming of the Christ child in Bethlehem. The pink one, lit on this third week of Advent, is the candle of Joy or the Shepherd candle. It symbolizes the rejoicing of the shepherds in the fields and our own rejoicing that God's promised Savior was born. The fourth one lit is the candle of Love or the Angel candle focusing on the angels' good news of God's love coming down to earth to dwell among us. The fifth candle which is lit on Christmas is the central white one, the Christ candle. It reminds us of Christ's purity, that he is the spotless lamb, the sinless Son of God, sent to give us new life!
So on this third week of Advent, let us focus on the joy we have in Christ, the Savior. Let us give thanks regardless of our circumstances. Let us look forward with anticipation at the celebration of his first coming, and to his return at the second coming. Rejoice!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. I Thessalonians 5:16-24
written by Jan Andersen, rejoicing at His coming!
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