The Second Sunday of Advent, 2016

Sunday, December 4, 2016

The Angels Candle: A Symbol of Peace.

By Patience Fort 

As we focus on the second Sunday in Advent and the second candle in the Advent wreath, the Angels Candle, let’s look at some of the Scriptures which depict angels and the foretelling of Jesus’ first or second coming. (I apologize in advance for how lengthy this entry is today. What can I say – there was a lot to cover!)

The angel, Gabriel, appeared to the priest, Zechariah in Luke 1:8-20 foretelling the birth of John the Baptist who would, make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  I love this passage because when Zechariah got a little indignant with the angel, Gabriel got a little testy right back. All drama aside, though, Gabriel’s prophecy was true and little John was born. He grew up to be a path-maker for Jesus as was foretold.

Luke 1:26-38 is the beautiful story of Gabriel conversing with sweet, little Mary about her being chosen to carry the child who would be Messiah. Not many months later, Gabriel’s words about Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, came to fruition. And then the Christ child, himself, made his entrance.

The angel in Matthew 1:20-25 is unnamed. But he helped Joseph understand how on earth (or not) his betrothed wife, Mary, could be pregnant. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. And, just as the angel foretold, the baby came and he gave him the name Jesus.

On Christmas Eve we love to read the “Christmas Story” found in Luke 2:1-20. Can you imagine being out in the dark countryside and seeing one and then a “host” of angels filling the sky? Just like in the other accounts of angels foretelling Jesus’ birth, these guys got it right, too. The shepherds found the baby just like they had told them they would.

Fast-forward to the end of Jesus’ life. He, himself, foretells about His own second coming in Matthew 25:31. But guess who will be with Him. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  I think it is pretty cool that they will be there, surrounding the Good Shepherd with hallelujahs just like they did with the other shepherds at Jesus’ first coming.

Then in Acts 1:10-11, two angels appeared to the Apostles to predict Jesus’ second coming. Men of Galilee . . . this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Since the other angel accounts depict prophecies that came true, it stands to reason that this one will, too.

Yes, the angels proclaimed to the world the coming of the King. But why do we call the “Angels Candle” a symbol of peace? I don’t think the people of the day expected the coming Messiah to be anything but a military ruler who would defeat the Romans and serve as their earthly king. I don’t think they anticipated what a peacemaker He would be or that His kingdom would be far greater than the confines of Israel.

Ephesians 2:17  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Colossians 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and sup with him and he with me.

The light of the Angels candle once again pierces the darkness – this time with peace. The Christ child proclaimed would bring peace on earth through His death and again bring peace for eternity at His Second Coming.

Lord, thank you for fulfilling the promise of your son. Thank you for the peace that He brought into the world – not in the sense of physical war but in the spiritual sense. Thank you for the peace that He brought into my heart the day I asked Him to reside there – and for the peace I now share with the world as a result. May your name be praised today and every day.

Romans 15:33  The God of peace be with you all. Amen.