As Christmas Eve approaches, we enter the sacred season of Christmastide, marking the culmination of the Advent journey. At the heart of the Advent wreath stands the “Christ Candle,” its white flame symbolising the light of Christ entering the world.
First lit on Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle illuminates the significance of this holy season, reminding us that Christmastide is more than a day—it extends through the Christmas season and often into Epiphany, carrying the message of hope, love, and salvation into the new year.
Each candle in the Advent wreath represents the journey through hope, peace, joy, and love, reflecting how the light of God grows stronger as we draw nearer to the celebration of Christ’s birth. The wreath itself, made of evergreen leaves and shaped in a circle, symbolises the eternal love of God and the gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.
Throughout history, the lighting of candles has carried deep meaning during the Christmas season. From the ancient association with the Winter solstice, symbolising the return of light, to medieval traditions where a single candle echoed the Star of Bethlehem, candles have long been a beacon of hope and guidance.
The Advent wreath, with its timeless symbolism, continues to remind us of the profound spiritual significance of Christ’s birth. It serves as a reflection of God’s eternal promise, the love that sustains us, and the light that leads us forward.
As we light the Christ Candle and celebrate Christmastide, let us hold fast to the message of hope, peace, joy, and love, shining brightly in the world through the birth of Jesus.
God has reached into the darkness of our lives
To give us hope for living a new life.
Let’s accept the gift of God’s grace today
And be transformed.
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end,
AMEN.
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