The Lighting of the Advent Candles for the Week.

luke 1:26-33

in the sixth month the angel gabriel was sent from God to a city of galilee named nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was joseph, of the house of david. and the virgin’s name was mary. and he came to her and said, “greetings, o favored one, the Lord is with you!” but she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. and the angel said to her, “do not be afraid, mary, for you have found favor with God. and behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father david, and He will reign over the house of jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

matthew 1:20-21

but as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “joseph, son of david, do not fear to take mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

isaiah 7:14

therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel

the candle of hope

This candle helps to remind us that Christ came into the world to bring hope to the hurting, lost, and needy. To be broken hearted and wounded. Its light reminds us that there is a better way. The way of hope through our coming savior Jesus.

the candle of peace

This candle’s light reminds us that Christ came to bring peace to the poor and those in need, to our neighbors and our enemies, to victims of abuse and domestic violence, to people threatened by bombs and mines. Its light reminds us that there is another way. A better way. The way of peace through our coming savior Jesus.

Study Notes

Luke 1:1-20

1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

19The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

isaiah 7:14

therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: "the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Upright – Dikaios: Innocent, Faultless, Guiltless

job 5:9

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

job 11:7

can you fathom the mysteries of God? can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

psalm 145:3

great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.

Reflection Questions

1. The world 2000 years ago was longing for fulfillment, as poets, historians, prophets and kings all foretold the coming of a great One. Is the world more fulfilled today? Where do you look for fulfillment? Do you find it? What might fulfillment in Christ look like? Will you pursue it?

2. God is great and His ways are unfathomable--we love and hate this reality. We love it when life is good and flowing well. We hate it when we are wounded and broken as we fear reprisal. The fascinating dilemma of Christmas is the fact that in the baby Christ, the unfathomable God becomes Immanuel--God with us. In the life of Immanuel, barrenness is the path to fulfillment, hardship is the way to maturity and death is the way to resurrection life. Spend some time thanking God for the most unfathomable plan--Immanuel.

3. Gabriel's power was based on one thing: I stand in the presence of God. In the presence of God there is hope, peace, fulfillment, wholeness, value and purpose. Christmas is the revolution of God because of Immanuel. The world longs for fulfillment, it has for thousands of years. How will Christ bring fulfillment to your life this Christmas?