The Fifth Candle

On Christmas Eve we light the fifth candle in our Advent Wreath – the Christ Candle. “I am the Light of the World” is what we remember in that moment. We also remember, “You are the Light of the World.” The flaming of this last wick is the reminder that we share ministry with Jesus. It’s never been him alone. It’s always been as a community. We light the candle as the culmination of our hope, our peace, our love and our joy. The combination of these, that become part of our character through the work of the Holy Spirit, bring forth the ability for all those around us to see. We light a candle and “put it on the stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.” Christ lights our hearts and places us in the world so that everyone can make out what is true. Truth becomes visible. And this isn’t a truth that we argue about, that we seek to prove. It is truth we provide, so that others can see their way. In a dark, confusing world, we provide light that illuminates what is real, lasting, assured. Through the lighting of this candle, we are called to bring hope and peace and love and joy into the mixture of life that people are living around us, so they can discover that Christ has demonstrated God’s presence in the world. The rest of the world can easily see the reason to be joyous, that they are loved, that they can live in peace and that hope will not disappoint. Blessings, Geoff