The Fourth Week of Advent - begins December 21st

Today, we light the Candle of Love, also known as the Angel’s Candle. This candle reminds us that God is the initiator of our relationship, for it was not mankind that needed to be reconciled to God, but God who needed to be reconciled to us!

Our righteous, just, and holy God took the posture of Judge for the treachery of mankind’s sin and rebellion against Him. His integrity demanded the eternal outpouring of His wrath. As Paul says, “just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

Again, he says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and, “whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Romans 3:19). 

Finally, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men“ (Romans 1:18).

The case against us would be open and shut, if not for God’s mercy and love for His people.

As John records, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

As Paul says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Again, he says, “When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:4,5). 

In His great statement to Moses, God declares, “The LORD, the LORD! A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

Today, we light the Candle of Love, the candle of God’s love for His children. It’s the candle that reminds us of God’s gracious mercy, that covenanted with Christ to be our Surety. It reminds us of this good news into which, Peter says, “angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12).

As we light this candle, we rejoice in the love of God for us through Jesus, our High Priest.

Further Study:

If you’d like to do more reading on the function of a priest, spend the next few weeks reading the book of Hebrews. Here is also the Bible Project link for Hebrews.