Christmas Day Advent Candlelighting 12/25/2022
We shall now have our Advent candle lighting. Today we will be lighting all 4 advent candles, and then the center candle representing the birth of the Christ. Before lighting each candle, I will share a little about the meaning of the candle. As we light our candles, I invite you to imagine that you are lighting each candle within your own heart - your manger.
The first candle represents Hope. Hope is the seed for a greater future. Several hundred years before the birth of Jesus the Christ Isaiah foretold of a great messiah to come, and the Jewish people kept hope burning alive in their hearts. This day we hold this same hope for the rebirth of Christ within our heart, and the hearts of everyone everywhere. Let us light our purple candle of Hope within our heart, and now see a flame burning within our heart.
The second candle represents Faith. We nourish hope with acts of faith. We pray, we serve, we give, we act as if it is already done unto us. And like Mary, we can say “.. my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Let us light our purple candle of Faith within our heart, and now see our flame burning brighter.
The third candle represents Joy. We nourish faith with acts of gratitude and love. We joyfully live each day sharing the gift that we are. Giving a smile, giving a helping hand to those in need, and joyfully doing our best regardless of the task at hand. Let us light our pink candle of joy within our heart, and now see our inner flame glowing even brighter.
The fourth candle represents Peace. We nourish peace with acts of prayer and meditation. We peacefully go about our business bringing peace and harmony to wherever we go and do. We recognize each person as part of our very self — that God Self in each and every one everywhere. Let us light our purple candle of peace within our heart, and now see our entire heart radiantly glowing.
The white center candle represents the Christ reborn this day within us - within the manger of our heart. Like the wise men of old who brought their gifts from afar, we come into our inner sanctuary, our holy temple to offer the gifts of our fruits of the spirit: our love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let us now light our center White candle of the Christ within our heart, and now see our whole being radiant with light - shining ever so brightly.
We now bring the glad tidings of the rebirth of Thy spirit into the minds and hearts of all people. May the gift of life, the gift of light, the gift of peace, the gift of plenty bear witness to the fulfillment of the promises of the Christ, the word of God made manifest. Let us affirm: The Christ in me greets the Christ in you. And so it is, Amen.
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