Dear Friends in Christ,

     During our morning worship service throughout Advent, families from our congregation light a candle on the Advent wreath, share an appropriate scripture and Advent reading, and then lead us in prayer.

     There are four candles on the wreath and a white candle in the center, which represents Christ. The other four represent Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy.

     Hope. Jesus is the hope of the world. In him we see the love of God for us all, and that love gives us hope in all of life's circumstances. For those who have lost loved ones, the hope at the heart of Christmas is in the day when we will be reunited with those loved ones in God's eternal Kingdom, and what a wonderful day it will be! The Bible tells us that if it is for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all persons most to be pitied. Because Jesus was born in Bethlehem, we have a hope that is eternal, and the New Testament tells us our hope in Christ will never disappoint us.

     Peace. Isaiah called Jesus, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." In our celebration of Christmas, we always pray for peace: peace in our hearts, our homes, our communities, our world. Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and peace becomes a Christian virtue in the life of the Church. Paul admonishes Christians all the time to maintain the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." Jesus also said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons (and daughters) of God."

     Love. The third Sunday in Advent, we light the candle of Love, representing the love that came down to us in the Christ child that first Christmas. What a wonderful statement of faith that "we love because he first loved us and gave himself for us." God initiates love in our lives, and ours is the only faith that defines God by that one beautiful word. As the Christ Child brings God's love to our hearts, God expects us to do everything we do in love--no exceptions, no excuses.

     Joy. Ever known a joyless Christian? It's sort of a contradiction in terms, isn't it? Jesus said, "I have come that you might have joy and that your joy will be full!" As we join for worship, for the singing of the great songs of Advent and Christmas, as we give thanks to God for his gift of the Christ Child to us, joy wells up in our hearts like an overflowing fountain!

     Linda and I would like to extend our sincerest wishes for a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.  May your holiday be filled with Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy!

Bob

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