Shine: The Christ Candle

The Big Idea: About the fifth Advent candle, called the Christ Candle, focusing on Jesus as the light that has come into the world.

 

The Last Candle

The Christ Candle is lit last. Advent guides us to anticipate Him. A child gets excited for Christmas day to open presents. Advent gets us excited to celebrate His arrival into the world.


Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV)

The Christ Candle is in the center. The reason for the season is Jesus. He is central to the story. He is the essential perfect One. God exalts Him above all for His willingness for this earthly mission. He is central and best for us when placed at the center of our life.

After He became a man, He gave up His important place and obeyed by dying on a cross. Because of this, God lifted Jesus high above everything else. He gave Him a name that is greater than any other name. Philippians 2:8-9 (NLT)


For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; Revelation 7:17 (NIV)

The Christ Candle is white for purity. Jesus represents the spotless Passover lamb, the perfect sacrifice for sin. He is our Passover lamb, absolute perfect sacrifice once and for all!

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:10 (NLT)

The Christ Candle shines brightest in the dark. I love lighting the candles best at night. It is brightest against a dark backdrop. Jesus brought light into the world. He lights our darkness, chasing away the shadows of doubt, fear and oppression.

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12: 46 (NLT)

The Christ Candle shines together with all the other candles on the Advent wreath. Everything is created by Him and for Him, the Ultimate One worthy of all our praise.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. Colossians 1:16-17a

Shine in the Darkness

He came shine as a light in this world. We reflect Him. Others see Him through us. Our world is so ridden with darkness. May His light shine through you this Christmas.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)

He has come. Blessed Christmas!

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Up next: Why Read Through the Whole Bible This Year?

Previous post: Angel Tracking: The Angel's Candle

Note: We have been in the process of going through a Practical Starter Guide of Inductive Bible Study. We will resume this series in January.

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Reflect:

1. What darkness is around you right now? Is it the cultural climate? A family situation? A work situation? Consider God sent Jesus to light the darkness. How might this make a difference in your darkness?

2. Take a moment and reflect on Jesus as light to your soul.

3. Reflect on the light of Jesus in YOU. How do you reflect Him?