2nd Sunday in Advent

The Candle of the Way

The candle lit on the second Sunday in Advent is to symbolise that Christ is The Way. As Christians, we are lost in sin so Christ is the Light, sent to us to show us the way out of darkness.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John Ch 14 v6)

Today the Dean spoke on Malachi Ch3 v1-14:

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiners fire or a launderer's soap...men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Several years ago the Dean took his then youth group to visit the Royal Mint in Cardiff. He described being taken through the process from the refining of base metal into pure, cutting the blank coins until the final image was stamped on them and they were fit for use. It was fascinating to see, but it also gave an insight into the process God uses to render us fit for His use.

Advent, as a season of penitence, allows us to look at the impurities in our lives and allow God to skim them away. Only then can He put His stamp on us, the symbol of our Heavenly Monarch. Malachi longed to see the people of God being a pure, holy, effective witness for Him since the only way that the lost can see Jesus is in us.

Not much has changed really, has it?