A Gift Worth Giving

I love the Advent Season; it never gets old, there is always something I learn that implies to my life in a real, intimate way. I love that it represents a time of waiting, coming, and anticipation. The five candles have such significance: hope, peace, joy, love and the coming of Christ. 

 

When hope is thought of, we often think of how ‘we want something to happen or not to happen.” Hope is a feeling of expectation, a feeling of trust. However, hope in the Bible refers to a secure assurance because of a trust that we place in a trustworthy God. This same hope helps us withstand all that we may be going through. This same hope came in the form of a baby, named Jesus!

 

The candle of peace reflects the inner peace that Jesus gives. Because of His life, death, and resurrection, everyone can experience His peace. The peace of God transcends our circumstances, allows us to look at one another and the world through Heaven’s eyes. We don’t have to be afraid of any situation because in Isaiah 9, we have been told we have the Prince of Peace.

 

Joy, unlike happiness that’s fickle depending on emotions, is deeply rooted in knowing God is near. True joy finds its source in God. During the Christmas season, we joyfully look forward to, anticipating the promise of a Savior being born. Today, we can have joy that is anchored in knowing that the God of all creation fulfilled His promise. This joy isn’t seasonal or situational, is a response from our lives for all He has done and continues to do. Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Love is one of the greatest gifts we can experience. We see love evident throughout the Christmas story. We see Joseph’s love for Mary, Joseph’s and Mary’s love for God displayed by their obedience and willingness to trust Him, Mary’s love for Jesus, and God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” LOVE left His home in glory to come, live, and walk among us. This is the greatest gift ever given, but even still I (we) often doubt His love for me (us). Honestly, sometimes I equate His love for me by how he works in my life. But that’s not true. Truth is that Jesus loves me and calls me His own, His daughter. I desire for my life to be a reflection of His love, to be a distinguishing mark. “You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you! John 15:16

 

One of the most important meditations for me during this Advent Season is the Christ candle. We cannot experience the fullness of hope, joy, peace, and love without Christ. Last night, Luke put on a picture of a fire burning in a fireplace on our TV as we played Christmas music. Each one of our kids love fire, not sure why; but they love the entire experience – the starting of it, the light it provides, the warmth, the scent of burning wood, and the sound of crackling embers. However, you can’t have all those things without the actual fire. The things our kids love about fire, only come from fire; not a picture or imitation of it. It’s the same with Jesus; we can’t experience true hope, true joy, true peace, and true love without a daily, personal relationship with Him. 

 

So during this Christmas/Advent Season, no matter what each one of you may be facing: rather it is the loss of a loved one, struggles within your job, experiencing a time of waiting or uncertainty, health or difficulties within family or friendships, our family’s prayer for you is that you may be filled with His hope, His joy, His peace, and His love in this Christmas season. May His light warm your heart as we all stand in awe of the baby born in a manger.