[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]
Each morning I tune in to the daily reflection from All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi (an Anglican church that I used to attend in the early 1960s). This week the theme is an introduction to Advent,[1] using the lighting of candles as a visual aid to the explanation of the four personal characteristics that that particular denomination emphasises during this season. The four candles represent hope, peace, joy and love – sentiments that we promote at Christmas but which should be part of our life year-round.
We are reminded that Advent is more than just a period of preparation for Christmas. Whilst it does perform that function, there is much more to Advent than the opening of the windows of a calendar and the anticipation of goodies to come. The psalmist David looked forward to the coming of the greatest of all ‘goodies’:
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27 v13 [ESVUK]
In contrast to the busy-ness and cacophony of the secular festivities, Advent is also the time when Christians anticipate the second coming of Christ to the earth. We put a great deal of effort into celebrating his first coming – should we not be equally diligent in being ready for his return?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1 v11 [NIVUK]
In between the past and the future there is the present. How is Advent relevant to us as we wait? The four candles can act as reminders of how we should live in this interim period.
The first candle signifies Hope 🕯️
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15 v13 [NIVUK]
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesu’s blood and righteousness;
Edward Mote (1834)
The second candle signifies Peace 🕯️
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4 v8 [NIVUK]
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Edward Henry Bickersteth (1875)
The third candle signifies Joy 🕯️
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Habakkuk 3 v18 [NIVUK]
Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
Bernard of Clairvaux (~1160)
The fourth candle signifies Love 🕯️
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another
1 John 3 v11 [NKJV]
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
Charles Wesley (1747)
Advent is not just an event in an old ecclesiastical calendar. If we make the time to consider and cultivate these attributes then Advent can become an adventure in demonstrating our faith.
References:
[1] An Introduction to Advent, Rev Enoch Opuka, December 2024
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Last week’s reflection: The Consequence of Complacency
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
Hi Steve,
An interesting reflection. I have to say when that when it comes to quality traditional services at Christmas time no church “does it better,” than the Church of England!!