The fourth candle of advent is the candle of Love – also called the Angel’s candle.
Within the Christmas story, angels function as messengers of love.
In Luke 1, an angel tells Zacharias that he and Elizabeth shall have a son named John – the very same John who would later baptize Jesus.
That very same angel then appears to Mary and tells her that she will bring forth a son – the promised Messiah.
In Luke 2, a multitude of angels appeared before some shepherds out in the fields – announcing the birth of the Savior.
Sending Jesus into the world was an act of perfect love – 1 John 4:8-12.
Jesus’ death and resurrection was a great act of love – 1 John 3:16.
Jesus came into a world that desperately needed help because it was in the grips of sin. His birth was proof that God had not abandoned or forgotten the world. His gift of love had come, to bring freedom for the captives and heal the hurting.
Love is the greatest of all the virtues shown in the advent wreath and encompasses Jesus’ entire purpose for being on earth – 1 Corinthians 13:13.
Love appears in the Bible anywhere from 100-300 times. We cannot walk with Christ without it. We cannot have a Christmas story without it.
“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
