Isaiah 9: 6-7; Luke 2: 8-14   The fourth candle in advent is the Peace candle. As we read the Old Testament, peace was the furthest thing the Israelites faced. They were familiar with war and being taken captive – yet Isaiah in chapter 9 says something amazing. He talks about a child who will be the Prince of Peace – one who will bring endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom – their kingdom. Not only will this prince establish it but will uphold it from this time onward and forevermore. The Jews had been waiting for this Messiah – this one who would bring peace to their chaotic world. So fast forward hundreds of years to shepherds tending their sheep in Luke 2. They have been told of this Messiah – so this is why they are so excited to hear from the angel that the Messiah has been born. Then they hear the heavenly host praising God saying there will be peace on earth to those he favors. Who were the favored ones – the chosen – the Jewish nation. We are us...

  Psalms 16: 5-11; Colossians 1: 9-13   This week’s Advent candle is Joy. We now have three flames of light in the darkness. We have gone from Hope in God’s Love and from this we have Joy in our salvation – in the Christ child who will come and bring us salvation. David in Psalms 16 finds fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord. His heart is glad, and his soul rejoices since he keeps the Lord always before him – God being at his right hand. Due to this he won’t be moved. He will endure and have patience during the hard times of life. He claims that in God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore. The Lord being always present and before him brings us one of the names of Jesus given at his birth – that of Emmanuel meaning God with us. Jesus fully God incarnated became human to bring salvation to us. So instead of dying and going to Sheol or the Pit God will show David the path of life. This way of life will be shown in the life the baby Jesus will live out. The way of...

  I was driving around the other day reflecting on how blessed my life is. I have the job of my dreams, the car of my dreams, a great boss, two handsome sons and am a published writer – another one of my dreams. The last year had one very low moment though with the passing of Don’s sister, Janet. She suddenly became ill in September and had several bouts in the hospital and in October was put in hospice with an inoperable tumor on her stomach. Janet was only 75. She was not only Don’s only sibling but was his business partner in their company Graffiti Proof. Our sons have lost their one aunt who lived nearby and was close to them in their growing up years. Janet left over a thousand orchids and our hearts will always be touched by her love. It is harder for us on the holidays without Janet, it’s now just the four of us, but we light a candle knowing her love is always with us. We did have a great Thanksgiving get together with my “Richards,” my mom’s side of the family, cousins. ...

  John 15:9-13; I Corinthians 3: 1-8a This week’s Advent candle is Love. Divine love seems to be the attribute that all attributes spring from. The greatest love is what Christ had for us in his outpouring of himself to death to ransom us from sin. Christ proved his great love in this way. Where does this love come from? Christ tells how as the father loved him – this love was passed on to us. We are told in John 15 to abide in Christ’s love. This means to remain, stay, continue, endure, and be present to. How do we do this? We do so by keeping God’s commandments and as he states in verse 12, “love one another as I have loved you.” The ultimate love being the laying down of one’s life for one’s friend. True love goes beyond just professing it, but in the services we render. What this love looks like in every day life is told of in I Corinthians 13. Love is said to be patient and kind. Then he tells how it isn’t. It is not envious, boastful, or rude, insisting on its own way, ...

  Psalms 130; Romans 5:1-11   What is it that gets us through, what gives us patience during the rough times? It is Hope. Hope is the first candle lit on the Advent Candle. It is rather appropriate since Advent is a time of waiting – waiting for the birth of the Savior Christ. What gets us through the dark days of winter? It is the hope that light will appear. Spring will come. One little glow from one candle begins Advent – hope that more light will come as we wait. In Psalms 130 the Psalmist is waiting – waiting to be delivered. His soul waits for the Lord – more than those who watch for the morning. How does he wait? In God’s word he hopes, and he repeats, “more than those who watch for the morning” - those who go through a long dark night. This reminds me of my son who when little insisted on sleeping with us. We had had enough, and I closed our door one night and told him he could sleep anywhere in the house – in his bed, on the couch, on the living room floor, anyw...