December 24, 2008
May the Lord of hope, peace, joy, and love be with you. The candle of hope reminds us of the promises made by the prophets that God would raise up a savior for His people Israel and for the nations. The candle of peace reminds us of the Messianic peace that makes us whole by releasing us from the oppression and burdens of this fallen world. The candle of joy reminds us that God gives joy to every heart that abides in Him. The candle of love reminds us that God so loved the world that He sent Jesus, by whom we were redeemed: His first advent. God's redemptive love continues to transform us the His Spirit until the day when His redemptive love will be completed, the second advent of Jesus.