Advent 4 Sunday - Candle of Love

 Advent 4 Sunday – Love

4th Sunday of Advent – We get to light all the candles on the outside ring today.  A great reminder that the coming of Jesus is getting near – not just the celebration of His birth, but His coming again for us.

Today’s candle represents “love” and we pray with others around the world today who open their hearts to be filled with God’s love. 

Heavenly Father, The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in one little four letter word…LOVE. You sent your gift of pure love to us that first Christmas. Love descended from heaven to be born of a virgin. Love lay in the scratchy hay of a manger in a meager barn in Bethlehem. All of your love, God, was robed in the delicate skin of a baby and wrapped in swaddling clothes. This final week of Advent, help us to reflect on the magnitude of love that was made so clear by Jesus.

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

You are King and King and Lord of Lords, Messiah and Ruler of All, yet you came as an innocent baby whose purpose was walk this earth in complete love, and then to sacrificially give his life as an atonement for the sins of His children.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  1 John 3:16

There is no greater gift then this.  You willingly gave the gift of your life because of your love. Your righteous blood covered our sin. You redeem and restore us when we confess you as Lord and Savior of our life. Father, this final week of Advent, fill our hearts and minds with the significance of that truth.

Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces Your glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for Your coming as we celebrate Christ's birth and anticipate His coming again in glory. Amen