The Advent season begins today, and we remember the time when God’s people were awaiting the birth of the Messiah. Along with remembering Israel’s expectation of Jesus’ first coming to bring us salvation, we also anticipate Jesus’ second coming when he will return to take us home.
Today we light the first candle which is called the “Prophecy Candle” or “Candle of Hope.” This candle reminds us of both the fulfilled prophecy of Jesus’ birth and the prophecy of his second coming, for which we continue to wait. The candle’s purple color represents Christ’s royalty as the King of Kings.
My prayer for each of you is that during the hustle and bustle of the season, you will keep your focus on Jesus. I pray that you will reflect on him, be aware of his presence, become overwhelmed by his love, grow closer to him and experience his peace and hope. As you excitedly prepare to celebrate his birth, I pray that you will also anxiously anticipate the day that he will return again to take us home.
Scriptures to reflect on today:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” ~Micah 5:2
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” ~Isaiah 7:14
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” ~1 Thessalonians 4:16
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” ~Matthew 16:27
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” ~Matthew 24:30
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” ~John 14:3
“’Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” ~Acts 1:11
“’Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ So shall it be! Amen.” ~Revelation 1:7