Lighting a candle is a simple yet profound act. It is a testimony to the power of light over darkness. As we light this fourth candle of Advent, we continue our journey to Christmas. The fourth candle of Advent is called the Love candle; as we anticipate Christmas, let us remember our loving savior, how he came once as a baby that the world through him might be saved, and how he will return in glory.
The words of Zephaniah
[Read Zephaniah 3:17]
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
How do we know that Jesus came in love and to demonstrate love?
[Read John 15:9 and 13 and Romans 5:8]
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And what does this mean for the followers of Christ? Jesus told his disciples;
[Read John 13:34-35]
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Scripture reminds us that;
[Read 1 John 4:19]
We love because he first loved us.
Jesus Christ is the true reason for hope, peace, joy, and love in this season and forever.
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You can find several more years of Advent readings here. Please feel free to use these Advent readings in your church. Our worship team leader Andy Bradshaw put together this Christmas Advent 2016 reading using a variety of resources, taking bits and pieces from several websites as well as combining those ideas with his own original thoughts.