THE ADVENT CANDLES OF HOPE AND PEACE

We’re continuing our walk toward the celebration of Christ’s birth.  This special period on the church calendar is called Advent.  To symbolize our journey we’re using the Advent Wreath with candles representing special attributes of this season.  The first week we started with hope and last week we lighted the peace candle.  Peace, as Jesus intended for His followers, is an inner reality.  We are to live at peace with all men and He has promised us peace.  However, this is not a negotiated peace as the world offers.  It is a peace given to us by faith based on the merits His sacrificial death.  In fact, in the worldly sense, Jesus says He came to bring division rather than peace (Matt. 10:34).  Thus, the peace that accompanies our Christmas celebration is an inner peace realized even in the face of world turmoil. 

Our benediction was from Hebrews 13:10. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  May this truth be a reality in all our lives.

This week we continue with the joy candle.  We’ll be going caroling in the community at 3 pm and return for our Sunday service at 6 pm this week.  We’re hoping some from the community will join us as we come together to celebrate the Joy of Jesus’ birth.  We look forward to having you with us for this time of fellowship and celebration.   Pastor Marv