The First and Second Weeks of Advent – The Candle of Hope and Candle of Peace

Hope is always tied together with the answer to a question, problem or need. In the big question, what Jesus did for us, was take upon Himself the punishment for the sin invasion which had affected humankind.

Much of our difficulty and sense of not being enough in life comes in the struggle to be “better.” Certainly, in some senses we get it, like not being addicted to something, or putting on airs, which comes from comparing ourselves with others or what we think we should be, or craving power or money.

This past week was a time of Advent preparations, as part of the Christmas season.

The promised coming of the Messiah (or Christ) in Old Testament scriptures was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus into this world, bringing Hope. Hence, the connection of Advent, which in Latin is “Adventus,” meaning “Arrival,” speaking of Christ's physical birth.

As a symbol of Christ's eternal life, we have a purple coloured Advent/Christmas wreath. It is purple for royalty, repentance and fasting, shaped as a circle which has no end (John 3:16). The royalty speaks of the kingship of Christ and His entitlement to rule, the repentance of the change to our hearts when inviting Christ in, and fasting of the refocusing of our earthly lives to God's eternal priorities.

This is how He arrived, as God in human form, to save us both in our inner condition and the world around, if we will receive the gift of His life into ourselves. (Isaiah 9:6-7) Christ died in our place, then He rose to share His eternal life with us. There is an elemental change needed in our lives and in our understanding of God's goal in our lives. The word Hope, in Biblical terms, means an absolute certainty of something; this absoluteness comes from God, as that is His way. So, this is not trying to be sure in our own efforts, but rather, is the heart experience of recognizing something is sure, in and of itself, and so it carries with it 'Expectation.'

The Bible shares it this way, 'Hope doesn’t disappoint us' (Romans 5:5). Jesus can be your internal candle of hope, who doesn’t disappoint; this is a certainty. Additionally, the candle anticipates His second coming, to change the 'order' of all things. There is no aspect of the wishy-washy sense, in which we hear people use the word hope in secular life. It's too bad, it could give people a greater sense of security in their lives if they got the true understanding of the word, as it comes from God.

In the same way, when we are willing to see the truth of things, we can let go of all the justification and excuses, realizing, God knows, sees, and still desires a relationship with us. However, before Jesus came, we had no way of connecting directly with God. Each Advent candle, one of four surrounding the wreath, symbolizes another reflection around the coming of Jesus and who He is for us.

2 Corinthians 6:14 explains, “What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness?” (English Standard Version - ESV)

Yet, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, giving His life in our place, we are, “justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Rom 5:1 Good News Bible - GNB)

A message was shared with the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 9:6-7a “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end,” (American Standard Version - ASV)

Interestingly, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a chorus of Angels broke through the barrier between our physical world and eternity, to deliver this amazing Word about this peace He came to impart. Wow, God keeps His word! Luke 2:8-14 “There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town, your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord. And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly, a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” (English Standard Version – ESV)

Way before that day, God said, in Isaiah 54:10, "The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end." The LORD who loves you said this.” (Easy-to-Read Version - ERV)

This was a promise God shared and stayed with, over thousands of years, until Jesus died to enable this to happen. Yet, it went further than we expected. Christ wasn't just delivered as a way to bring peace to life around us. More importantly, He was born, lived, died and rose in victory over the greatest enemy – death. This was a way to deliver His life to be within us, if we will now ask Him in.

In this coming week, we will be lighting the second candle, symbolizing Peace, aka the Bethlehem candle, where Jesus was born. It stands as a reminder of the incredible opportunity, every human being has been offered to them in their journey, every moment of every day, the opportunity to walk in the experience of this peace, as tangible.

So, am I saying, those committed have an actual perfect continual experience of peace, by no means! However, what is being said is, it makes a great difference when one has the biggest relationships down, namely the ones with God and with ourselves. We are all fallible and unaware of much, and so we strive to not be truly seen for who we really are; we play exhausting juggling games. Still, the reality is, we are all seen more truly than we realize.

It takes the recognition of, what the Bible calls, “...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding...” Even though, those who trust in Jesus still have to navigate the currents of this life, like anyone, He is, as Proverbs 18:24b shares, “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” when you ask Him into your heart. (Philippians 4:7 & Proverbs 18:24b - English Standard Version - ESV) God sees our need for clarity and tries to get it to us, but we make excuses and turn away in a reflex action, and we call it rationalization.

We use this skill to explain to ourselves our reasons and actions for many of our behaviours as human beings, yet realistically, our rationalization collapses in a moment, and the worlds we have so precariously held, fall, to our regret.

Shakespeare said. “The truth will out,” The Merchant of Venice, 1596. So we might as well get real with ourselves and let God do His thing, Reality! There is a buoyancy to Reality, defying the nay-saying of the rest of life. Jesus' compassion and peace are at the ready, if we will only turn to Him and ask Him into our spirit. This way, what He did may have its effect within us, and we can let go of all the balls in the air. Don't worry, he's got the ones which count, and the rest should crash and burn anyway, so our lives are not blocked by what they carry.

Philippians 4:6&7 goes like this, “ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication (ask God, to learn) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (English Standard Version – ESV) How long is it going to be before we look onto the light of Jesus' life, so He can give us peace inwardly.

Hey, Garbage in, Garbage out. So it follows, 'as does the day follow the night,' let the Good of Jesus in and good will flow out into our lives and those around.

Huh, Peace, let it be an event in this Advent season of your life. Like the angels, who appeared on the night Jesus came, as a baby and Prince of Peace, said, “... Of the increase of his... peace there shall be no end.”

His Peace to all of us, everywhere, and Happy Seasoning!