LEFC Family Advent Readings: Take Heart!
John 16:33 :: December 13, 2015
Week #3: A Candle of Courage
“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.
During this year’s Advent season, we are contemplating together our Lord Jesus’ promise from the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 33.
[READ JOHN 16:33 AND RE-LIGHT FIRST CANDLE]
Our first candle was a candle of lament. It told us that our world has been full of trouble ever since the garden of Eden and that it is good and right to express grief, sadness, and longing for our broken world to be fixed.
[RE-LIGHT SECOND CANDLE]
Our second candle was a candle of hope. It reminded us of the promise of the Prince of Peace. His peace is unlike anything the world offers and will never end. And that gives us something to hope in.
[LIGHT THIRD CANDLE]
Our third candle is a candle of courage. Because our hope is in Jesus, we can take heart and be courageous right now. Even though our broken world is full of danger and trouble on every side, we do not have to live in fear.
We can be bold for Christ. We can take risks for Christ. We can tell others about Christ. We can obey Jesus and do the hard things He wants us to do in our needy world. The angel told the shepherds "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
We also do not need to be afraid. Christians know already how our story ends and that changes how we live in the here and now.
Be courageous and take heart!
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| Our readings this year correspond with the EFCA Advent Devotional by Greg Strand. |
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