Four Weeks of Advent Candles and Their Meanings – Week 2

This month I’m doing a series of posts on the meaning of the four, and sometimes, five Advent candles. Last week I wrote about the first candle Hope.

The candle for week two is called the Peace candle. This is also known as the Bethlehem Candle as it represents the journey Mary and Joseph took to the little town of Bethlehem where our Lord Jesus was born.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION

There is some difference in what the candles mean. Some say the second candle is faith, others say it is peace. Yet another says it represents love. With so many varying denominations and beliefs out there, it is no wonder that each church has its own ideas about the meaning of the candles. But such a minor point.

I’m going to call this second one Peace. At the end of their journey to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph welcome their son, The Prince of Peace. If you recall, this is one of the titles the Prophet Isaiah said would belong to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6.

FROM THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Indeed, the very night Christ was born, Luke tells us of the angel appearing to the shepherds out in the fields. The Complete Jewish Study Bible says it thusly:

In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, when an angel of ADONAI appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of ADONAI shone around them. They were terrified; but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. Here I how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God: “In the highest heaven, glory to God! And on earth, peace among people of good will!” (TCJB, Luke 2:8-14).

After all that had gone on before this time, all the bad kings. The 400 years of silence, it had to have been overwhelming to hear such good news.

The Prince of Peace was born.

IN THE WORDS OF JESUS

While he was still on earth, Jesus prepared His disciples for what was to come. In the Gospel of John (Yochanan) he says this: What I am leaving with you is shalom– I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened. You heard me tell you, I am leaving, and I will come back to you. If you loved me, you would have been glad that I am going to the Father; because the Father is greater than I. (TCJB, Yochanan (John) 14:27-28).

Jesus is The Prince of Peace and He leaves us His peace. His shalom. He clearly states the kind of peace we get when we give our lives to Him isn’t like worldly peace. What a joyous day when we get to see Him face to face. Glory to God!

LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE

Four Weeks of Advent Candles and Their Meanings - Week 2 @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #writing #Advent Share on X

So, we light another purple candle as we remember that Jesus Christ is Messiah. Is the Prince of Peace. Even in our troubled world, we can look forward to the Peace that is to come.

E’en so Lord Jesus, come quickly!

Blessings, y’all.

The recitative sung here by the amazing Syliva McNair is one I’ve sung countless times. One of the biggest honors of my life was singing it at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL, under the direction of our beloved Choirmaster and Organist, the late Joseph W. Schreiber. The recitative is followed by the lively, Glory to God. Handel wrote this entire work, Christmas and Easter portions, in just 14 days! Truly, Holy Spirit was in that room with him! Glory to God, indeed!!