Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the “Candle of Love”.
Scripture:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
The ornament for today is a crown
Thoughts:
A crown is the ultimate reward. It can be for a pursuit or for an ambition, but it represents reaching the pinnacle and gaining mastery.
Gaining a crown also means retaining something lasting.
There are many sorts of crowns. That of the Olympic athlete was one made of simple laurel leaves; that of an emperor was of gold and jewels. Conquerors gained actual and metaphorical ones in their victories, but the crown spoken of today is the ultimate:
The crown of life. It is the crown of an overcomer.
Today, there is a real repugnance for even the idea testing and trials, and the gain of a crown might easily be undervalued- even an immortal life. So much of the emphasis of our culture is on “getting all the gusto” we can. At Christmas, it could seem that the merit of ones own satisfaction far outweighs that of sacrificing anything of our own pleasure and desire for others.
But today, Â take a few moments and consider how Christ came to the earth in simplicity, for the sake of living a sacrificial life for our great gain. How He laid aside his own heavenly crown to allow for us to be part of his future rule. He didn’t want to have a Kingdom without us.
Any trial is worth persevering through… that is why the man who does so is called “Blessed”. That will be a person who finds long lasting happiness. Will it be you?
Take small steps by trying to be more patient with those in your own house, among your own friends and family. Train for the attaining the crown. It will be worth it in the end.
Hymn:
“Crown Him With Many Crowns”
Carol:
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
