Arrival of Advent – The Christ Candle

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:2-7

The battle had raged for months, the rains were relentless, the despair of war was increasing, yet on a dreary night the sounds of Silent Night echoed across the war-ravaged land and two armies declared an unofficial and impromptu cease-fire on the Western Front near Frelinghien, France during World War 1. It was a moment of hope as calm rested upon the battlefield. A short interlude from fighting occurred on December 24 and 25 and became known as the 1914 Christmas Truce. It was a small, localized event with a small group of soldiers, but for a brief moment they experienced peace. Christmas came to those war-torn trenches.

Fleming Rutledge writes,  “Advent always begins in the dark.” It was in the dark that the angels came to the shepherds. It was in the dark that the star guided the Magi to the Savior. It was in the dark that Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt. It was in the dark of night that Nicodemus came seeking the truth. It would be in the dark that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Could it be that in the darkness of 2021, Advent has been more powerful and hopeful this year? Has our focus been more on Jesus than on the glitter and usual activities of Christmas? I hope so! Jeff Peabody wrote that we can learn to reframe our questions from “Lord, when will this darkness be over?” to “What is pointing me toward Christ?” As we do, we may find there is significantly more light in the room than we realized.”

The calendar day that marks Christmas may have passed but not the Incarnation. We watched the flickering flames of the hope, faith, joy, and peace candles that illuminated our advent wreath grow brighter when the Christ candle was lit for Christmas.  The world no longer has to live in darkness as God orchestrated the radiant light of Jesus’ birth. Jesus would tell the world that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The shepherds returned to their sheep that dark night but they had seen the Light.

The Magi returned to their homeland but they had seen the Light.

Mary and Joseph packed their belongings to return home but now they carried the Light.

Aging, faithful Simeon had waited expectantly but now he held the Light in his arms.

Precious Anna had worshipped and waited for decades but now she led in worship of the Light.

O Little Town of Bethlehem you were so preoccupied that you missed the Light.

King Herod, you were so blinded by evil and lust for power that you missed the Light.

America were you so consumed with materialism, violence, and division that you will miss the hope of the Light?

We live in an age when anything and everything can be politicized about Christmas. People get upset when others say Happy Holidays or leave off merry in Christmas. The real tragedy is not to know the Christ of Christmas. Life without Jesus leaves a bleak, dark, and hopeless world. A world that recognizes the day but not the person of Christmas.

What did you do with the Light this Christmas?

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

God is great,