The Lighting of the Angel Candle – (purple) the candle of love
John 3:16-17
As we re-light the two purple candles and the pink candle, we remember the meaning of Advent is “coming” or “visit”!
We are preparing for the Advent of Christ at Christmas, walking through those historical steps, and taking our time to understand and cherish every memory of them.
- We remember Israel’s hope for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.
- We remember our own need for a Savior to save us from our sins and restore our broken relationship with God.
- We are reminded of our hope for the second coming of Christ and to prepare our hearts for His soon return.
By lighting one candle each week, we pause to think upon the birth of Christ, event by event. For the last three weeks, we have focused on the prophecies regarding His coming and how many of them were fulfilled in His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection, and how the rest will be fulfilled when He returns. For as we see how God kept His promises to Israel, we are encouraged to believe God will keep His promises to us.
Today, we focus on the coming of Christ – the evidence of God’s love. As we light the Angel’s Candle and read the Holy Scriptures, may our joy over our Lord’s first coming overflow in our hearts, and may our anticipation for Christ’s second coming be renewed.
- Read Psalm 89:1-4, 19-37, 46-52
- Read Isaiah 9:1-7
- Read Luke 1:26-38
We light this candle because, like God’s people centuries ago, we need a Savior who will forgive our sins. The purple color reminds us of the seriousness of our sins and the joy of being fully forgiven forever.
Prayer of Hope:
Dear God, as we light this candle, we look ahead with hope to the birth of your Son — the Son of David, the son of Mary. May we be prepared to welcome him with open arms and open hearts. O come now, Son of David! Amen!
A thousand times in history, a baby has become a king
Only once in history, has a King become a baby
Divinity, humanity, your step of supreme love,
To leave the splendor of all heaven; we worship you above.
We place our lives before you, in submission, faith and grace,
As we offer up our praise, for Your love for fallen race.
We bend the knee, acknowledging the sacrificial cost.
We bow our heads in worship, knowing we were lost.
We kneel before your throne, humbled, in deepest need.
As we offer up our praise, take our lives, for this we plead.
Clare Wiltshire, Bournemouth, England