As we light the first candle, we are reminded, that Christ is our Hope. We also “wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
The second candle we light reminds of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Let us “make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy.” (Hebrews 12:14)
The third candle is the candle of Joy. Mary’s song, known as the “Magnificat,” is but one of many expressions of this Joy in the Bible.
The fourth candle of Advent reminds us of the Essence of God Himself. “God is Love. This is how God showed His Love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:8-9)
The Christ candle is the tallest, and stands in the center of the wreath. This is the one to whom the others lead. As we light the Christ candle on Christmas Eve, let us be reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world! We celebrate His Incarnation today, remembering that “Jesus Christ, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7)
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told!” (verse 20)
Reflection:
Here we are, on the last day of Advent. What a journey of fasting and feasting, solitude and prayer, secrecy and celebration! Today we focus on the miracle of the Incarnation. The birth of Jesus, foretold by the prophets and announced by the angel Gabriel became reality in history! Christ entered our messy and broken world of time and space for our sake, a tangible expression of the Father’s love for us! He was born as any other Jewish boy was, and lovingly wrapped in cloths. The celestial celebration was interrupted for a few brief moments in order to reveal this Salvation event to a group of shepherds, tending sheep that were destined to be sacrificed in the Temple. These shepherds, despised by society and considered to be liars by the religious, were the ones God Himself invited to be the first witnesses of a personal encounter with Jesus! Shepherds knew what feast and famine meant. They will also have experienced times of solitude as the boy David had who, because he was the youngest, was left tending the flocks by himself. But they were also those on whom God’s favor rested. They may also have kept many secrets, but the encounter with angels and the meaning of the baby in the manger was not something they could keep to themselves! “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child!” (Lk 2:17)
Application of Spiritual Disciplines:
Has our encounter with Jesus brought us to respond by glorifying and praising God for all the things we have heard and seen God do in our life and in the lives of those around us? Let us follow the example of the shepherds and not keep the Good News of Jesus locked up in our hearts, but shouted from the rooftops! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life!” (Jn 3:16) God loves shepherds, He loves sheep and He will even leave the ninety-nine in order to look for the one lost sheep! We are invited to join Him in this endeavor and celebrate His mighty works together with the cloud of witnesses and the angels in Heaven!
We are also called to join Jesus by inviting those on the margins of our church and those on the fringe of society to celebrate with us. (Lk 14:12-14) This is not the Christmas celebration we are used to. This is not the family turkey dinner. This is the luncheon, dinner, or banquet that Jesus will attend. Are we willing to celebrate the Incarnation by showing Jesus’ love to those who need it most?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ into the world,
to live as one of us yet without sin, to teach us about Your Kingdom through words and deeds, and to die on the cross for the sins of the world.
We praise You for raising Him up on the third day and seating Him at Your right hand,
but also for drawing us to Him in Your Grace and Mercy to become Your children and followers of Jesus!
Fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit, and give us boldness to share the Good News of Your Kingdom through word and deed.
Help us be like the shepherds, going forth from here to tell others about everything we have heard and seen!
Help us also invite those to our banquet whom You are calling us to invite, not only family and friends, but the neglected and despised, those who would otherwise not have a Christmas dinner to go to.
Help us become the missional disciples You desire us to be.
In the precious Name of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate tonight and to Whom all glory and honour is due, now and forever.
Amen.
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