Advent 2020
Advent is a significant time of remembrance in the Christian faith celebrating both the nativity of Christ, His virgin birth, and the return of Christ as victorious King. It is usually celebrated the four weeks before Christmas culminating on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Each week has a particular focus in which a candle is lit and worship songs ring out during the Sunday service to represent that focus. Traditionally, the first three candles are colored purple or blue, the fourth candle is rose-colored and the Christ candle is white.
Our family has celebrated Advent throughout the years. We have many treasured memories as we gathered around to listen to the story of the greatest Gift ever given—God’s Son. Our children may have grown, but the story has never grown old. Rather, the significance of the gift of God’s Son has grown deeper as we faced the heights and valleys of life. Christmas 2020 is no different. Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace continue to fill us because the Eternal Son of God came to us as a mortal helpless Child in order to die the death that would give us eternal life.
The first week is the candle of HOPE. Read Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 2:1-20.
In fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, Jesus proclaims the hope of salvation. Scripture says that He will lead justice to victory and in His name the Gentiles will hope (Matthew 12:18-21).
Having fulfilled that prophecy in His death and resurrection, believers experience the hope of His first coming and the expectation of His return. A quick read of Colossians chapter 1 shows the breadth of the hope believers have in Christ Jesus.
• It is a hope that starts with Christ and the gospel. (Col 1:3-6).
• It is a hope which continues by having a firm faith in the gospel that they have heard (Col 1:21-23).
• It is a hope with a glorious eternity (Col 1:27-28).
Suggested Songs:
O Little Town of Bethlehem
The second week is the candle of FAITH. Read Matthew 1:18-25.
Christ is the foundation of our faith (1 Cor. 3:11). Our faith rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, the redemption of our souls, and eternal life.
Hebrews 11:1 states that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. In chapter 11, the book of Hebrews goes on to say that faith:
• Gives us the understanding of God as the creator of all things.
• Determines the worship which is in accordance with God’s expressed will.
• Causes us to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
• Emboldens us to focus on eternity rather than the passing pleasures of sin.
• Considers the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of this world.
• Enables us to live each day with our eyes fixed on Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
Suggested Songs:
O Come, All Ye Faithful
The third candle is the candle of JOY. Read Luke 2:10-11.
Joy has been defined as the sense of well-being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. It is a happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities.
At the birth of Jesus, there was good news of great joy for all the people. There is ongoing joy for every believer since that day.
Joy is:
• Produced in the believer by The Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
• A response to faith in Christ - great rejoicing and inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8)
• Characteristic of the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17)
• A major theme in the book of Philippians which uses five Greek words to express it.
1) Philippians 1:4 Joy in prayer
2) Philippians 1:18 Joy in preaching the gospel; Philippians 2:16-17 Joy in sacrifice and service
3) Philippians 1:25 Joy in the progress of faith of believers; Philippians 2:2 Joy in the unity of faith
4) Philippians 3:1, 4:4 Rejoicing in the Lord
5) Philippians 4:1, 10 Joy in the Lord
Suggested songs:
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
The fourth candle is the candle of PEACE. Read Luke 2:13-15.
In a world that seeks peace and finds very little due to our sinful nature, God provides for peace and says of Jesus, He is the way.
Peace is not a subjective, internal sense of calm and serenity, but an external, objective reality. Man has been at enmity with God because of sin, but because of Jesus, we can have peace with God. (Romans 5:1).
At the birth of Jesus, the angels declared that there would be peace with those who please God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that faith in God pleases Him.
Suggested songs:
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
The white candle in the middle is the CHRIST candle symbolizing the coming of Jesus.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 2:1-2
Many prophecies were fulfilled at the first coming of Jesus (e.g. Micah 5:2, Is, 7:14, Is. 49:5-6) and many more will be fulfilled at His second coming.
The first coming of Jesus was announced by a star in the east and guided the wise men to the baby (Matthew 2:1-11). The second coming of Christ will be seen as light flashing across from the east to the west to announce His arrival (Matthew 24:27). Lighting the center candle of Christ, we are reminded that Christ is the light and life of men.
• John 1:1-4 Jesus is life and the light of men
• John 1:9 Jesus, the true light, came into the world
• John 8:12 Jesus is the light of the world. He who follows him shall not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.
God’s plan of redemption is illumined in our hearts through Christ.
For God, who said, “…light shall shine out of darkness, “ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor. 4:6)
Suggested songs:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel
Glory to God in the Highest for our Savior Emmanuel has come to us! Let this be the object of our unchanging hope amidst all the bad news of the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, natural disasters, and losses. In the midst of all these, God’s age-old promise in Malachi 4:2 remains true, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” Let us live out and spread the good news of hope, faith, joy, and peace that the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ brings.
Have a Blessed Christmas Season!
Author: Devon Dodgen, VBC elder