Tag Archives: Bethlehem

The Advent Wreath

This post is related to the Advent family devotional, Journey to Joy,
now available at creativecommunications.com.

Advent candles 2

One of the traditions of the Advent season is the Advent wreath. The concept of the Advent wreath originated in Germany in the 16th century. However, the modern four-candle Advent wreath, with its candles representing the Sundays of Advent, originated in 1839.

The four colored candles represent the four weeks of Advent, with one additional candle being lit each Sunday in Advent. The flames of candles are a representation of the light of Christ approaching on Christmas.

  • The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” to highlight the role of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt as we anticipate the coming Messiah.
  • The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
  • The third pink candle symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is the color for joy in church settings. The Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday (Latin for “Rejoice”) and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy we have at arriving halfway through Advent.
  • On the fourth week of Advent, we light the last purple candle. This candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Christmas Scavenger Hunts

hidden gift

I remember that sometimes at Christmas we children would have to go on a scavenger hunt to find our “big” presents. We would open a box to find a note that said, “Go to the mailbox.” There we would find another note that said, “Look in the refrigerator” to discover another note that said, “Go to the closet in the hall.” There we would find a bicycle, or a dollhouse, or a computer.

On that first Christmas, the angels asked the shepherds to go on a scavenger hunt to find the biggest and best Christmas gift of all. They said:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12).

The shepherds were good at scavenger hunting. They said:

“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15-16).

Are we good scavenger hunters this Christmas? Can we find Jesus amidst all the wrapping paper, cookies, candy canes, tinsel, trees and lights? The manger is still not hard to find. He is mangered in our hearts. Go to him with haste.

Happiness is …

fireflyA few Christmases ago, there was a special on TV celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. As part of the program, Kristin Chenoweth sang the song “Happiness” from the You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown musical.

That particular clip is no longer available on YouTube, but here is another older, shortened (much slower, sorry) version for you to listen to:

My favorite line from that song is “Happiness is catching a firefly, setting him free.” I can feel the joy in that, and it makes be nostalgic for childhood. The song eventually concludes, “Happiness is anyone and anything that’s loved by you.” Though I love this song, that’s a pretty broad brush!

That got me to thinking about what happiness is to the Christian. St. Paul helps us in this regard when he says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philippians 4:11-12).

For us as Christians, the circumstances of our lives are not what bring us ultimate happiness. For the Christian, happiness is knowing we have a gracious and forgiving God who will never abandon us.

Therefore, happiness for the Christian is not centered on what we love, but on the fact that we are loved by Christ. And that love is revealed to us in flesh and blood through the Babe of Bethlehem who came to live with us and love us in person all the way to the cross, that we might be saved and live with him forever. That is the true and lasting happiness that brings joy to the world this Christmas and always.

If I had to write a new verse to the “Happiness” song, then I would add: “Happiness is Jesus who loves me, knowing he cares so. He died for me!” May that be your song this season, too, and may it bring happiness to your heart.