Good evening and welcome to the Panhandle, I'm sure glad you dropped by. It's Christmas time and I wanted to take a minute to look at Advent. On the first Sunday traditionally a purple candle is lit to signifies Hope. The second week another purple candle is lit to signifies Peace. The third week a pink candle is lit to signifies Joy. The fourth candle to be lit is white to signify the Light of the World. One site calls it the "Christ Candle." We don't light the candles at our church but we do celebrate Advent.
What is Advent? Is a season observed as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday. The name comes from Latin adventus ('coming; arrival'), translating the Greek parousia from the New Testament, originally referring to the Second Coming.
On this the 13th day of December let's remember that what started in a manger led to a cross, and to an empty tomb. And someday it will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ. This is the hope that all who know Him as Lord and Saviour can bank on. In this sometimes overwhelming season and all year long for that matter, it is Jesus Christ who gives us peace: And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7). Joy - joy is more than just being happy, it's more just being in a good mood. Joy is more a state of being than an emotion; joy is a choice. You get to choose to be joyful. The "Christ Candle" Jesus Christ was born under the light of the Christmas star, why? Because He is the light and life to a dark world: In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:4-5). Jesus said of Himself in John 8:12: Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Jesus is the hope, peace, joy, and light to all who will seek Him and start a personal relationship with Him. You can do this by first admitting your a sinner, don't worry your in good company because you see we are all sinners even those of us who are Christians. The only difference is we have admitted we are sinners and ask Jesus Christ to forgive our sins. The next thing you need to do is to believe that Jesus is God and that only He can forgive your sins: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10). Finally ask Jesus Christ into your life by asking Him to become your Lord and Saviour. Do this and you will receive the greatest Christmas gift ever. Eternal life with God: and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
Merry Christmas to you and yours. And - The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’
Bro. Orden - a Panhandle pastor
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