The Advent season, a period of spiritual preparation leading up to Christmas, mirrors Lent’s role in anticipating Easter. This sacred time, commencing after Thanksgiving, calls us to ready our hearts, minds, and souls for the arrival of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. While modern celebrations often prioritize shopping, festivities, and secular figures like Santa Claus, the true essence of Christmas revolves around the birth of the Savior. Advent serves as a reminder of this profound event, guiding us back to the core message of hope, peace, joy, and love that emanates from Christ’s incarnation. As Pastor Max Lucado aptly states, “Christmas begins what Easter celebrates,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of these two pivotal Christian holidays: the birth of Jesus and the fulfillment of his divine purpose.
The four Advent candles symbolize essential aspects of the Christmas narrative, drawing our focus to the deeper meaning of the season. The first candle represents Hope, rooted in the Old Testament prophecies foretelling the arrival of a Messiah. These prophecies, spanning centuries before Jesus’s birth, meticulously detail the circumstances of his arrival, including his humble beginnings in Bethlehem, his virgin birth, and his ultimate role as the Lamb of God, who atones for the sins of the world. The lineage of Jesus, meticulously traced through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, culminating in the royal line of King David and continuing to the New Testament, solidifies his claim as the promised Messiah. As Bible scholar Hank Hanegraaff emphasizes, the precision of this lineage leaves no room for imposters, reinforcing the profound hope embodied in the first Advent candle.
The second Advent candle signifies Peace, derived from the profound concept of the Incarnation. This doctrine, unique to Christianity, asserts that the Creator of the Universe took on human form and dwelled among us. The Gospel of John eloquently describes this as “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The Greek term “Logos,” translated as “Word,” holds deeper significance than mere spoken or written language; it represents the underlying reality that governs the world, encompassing science, philosophy, and the natural order. The Incarnation signifies God’s intimate presence among humanity, a concept further reinforced by the use of the word “tabernacled,” linking Jesus to the Tabernacle of Moses, the dwelling place of God during the Israelites’ wilderness journey. This profound act of God becoming man distinguishes Christianity from all other religions, emphasizing the divine presence residing within us, offering a peace that transcends worldly understanding.
The third Advent candle embodies Joy, a sentiment abundantly expressed through Christmas carols and festive gatherings. Even in secular environments like New York City, the joy of Christmas resonates through events like the “Messiah” sing-along at Lincoln Center, uniting people of diverse backgrounds through the power of music. Handel’s “Messiah,” a musical masterpiece, retells the biblical narrative of redemption, weaving together Old and New Testament scriptures to proclaim the coming of Christ. Similarly, traditional Christmas carols, though often played in commercial settings, carry profound theological messages of joy, hope, and salvation. They serve as reminders of the true meaning of Christmas, offering a glimpse into the spiritual richness of the season amidst the hustle and bustle of modern celebrations.
The fourth Advent candle represents Love, the driving force behind God’s extraordinary act of sending his Son into the world. Pastor Lucado emphasizes the importance of remembering the true essence of Christmas, comparing it to the significance of the Fourth of July for Americans. Just as the Fourth of July celebrates the birth of a nation, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, a pivotal event in human history. God’s love for humanity is demonstrated through the humble circumstances of Jesus’s birth, born not in a palace but in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem. This act of divine humility allows everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to connect with Jesus, who experienced the full spectrum of human experiences, from poverty and obscurity to cold and hardship. This intimate connection underscores the profound love that motivated God to become man, bridging the gap between the divine and human.
The final Advent candle, lit on Christmas Eve, represents Jesus himself, the culmination of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love symbolized by the preceding candles. He embodies the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and the realization of God’s unwavering love for humanity. This final candle illuminates the true meaning of Christmas, reminding us that amidst the festive celebrations, the heart of the season lies in the birth of the Savior, who offers us hope, peace, joy, and love in abundance. His arrival marks not only a historical event but a transformative moment in human history, offering redemption and eternal life to all who believe.
