There are alternative meanings and colors for the advent wreath. Here are some that are followed by the couple who are doing the church service advent devotions each Sunday at our fellowship:
1st CANDLE- (purple) “CANDLE OF HOPE”
2nd CANDLE- (purple) “CANDLE OF PREPARATION”
3rd CANDLE- (pink) “CANDLE OF JOY”
4th CANDLE- (purple) “CANDLE OF LOVE”
5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE”
In this sequence the second week would emphasize “preparation” as a theme. This still has connections with the idea of peace: “having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15
How extremely important is this idea of preparation! The virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, those who were prepared and ready and those who were not awaited very different rewards. The man who prepared for enjoyment of this life, but not for his final accounting with God.
The preparations of the heart hold so much consequence for the future. There is so much we may take from our Advent season to begin a productive and blessed way of life for the rest of the year opening before us. The motto,”be prepared” isn’t just for Boy Scouts! It makes all the difference in so many of our outcomes, and, most of all, for the eternal ones.
If we prepare our feet with the gospel of peace… we are ready to share the reconciliation that God has made with man.
This is something of great value, great import, and yet, how many are ashamed and unprepared to share this good news?
How many people come in and out of our lives and never hear what they would most gain from us, the riches of the Gospel? Simply because we have not prepared ourselves with a view to take opportunities to share what we know of Jesus Christ?
Today we can prepare for tomorrow.
Lord, grant us wisdom and sincerity of purpose to do that. Let nothing, not shopping, not desire, not entertainment, nothing! take away our hunger for you, our preparation of each days daily bread of heaven.
Let us daily set out enough for our own needs, and for guests, at our table. To share the blessing of Christ.
Let us prepare for that, today.
Amen.
