Light
the Advent Candle three,
Think
of heavenly harmony
Angels
singing “Peace on Earth”
At
the Blessed Savior’s birth.
Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent carries the theme
of Joy with it because the advent of Christ’s birth is soon at hand. This is
symbolized by the light pink candle (or candle of a different color) in the
Advent Candle Wreaths. The verse in the Advent song above is taken from Luke
2:14. It is what the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in their fields, “Glory
to God in the Highest, and Peace on Earth to those on whom His favor rests!”
This is a message of joy! God still favors mankind, so much
so, that He is sending His son to live among them, and to die for them. At a
time when the Jews were filled with hope that God would overthrow their Roman
overlords, and free them, God says that it’s not just about their immediate
physical freedom, but about their eternal spiritual salvation. But there is
more to Christ than just a little baby, born in a manger, who will forgive our
sins and bring salvation. He is the King who has come to defeat death, and sin
once and for all. His entrance into the world is humble, but it is also a reason
for great rejoicing.
Think of the lyrics of O
Come All Ye Faithful:
O
Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful
and Triumphant
O
come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come
and behold Him,
Born
the King of Angels.
O
come let us adore Him,
O
come let us adore Him,
O
come let us adore Him,
Christ
the Lord!
In the Old Testament, God was sometimes called, “Yahweh
Sabbaoth” which is often translated, “The Lord
of Hosts.” What does this mean? This means the Commander of the Armies. God is
not just the Lord of all that is,
but He is also the commander of the Armies of Heaven. So when we sing, “Born the King of Angels,” we proclaim
his Kingship, and ability to command the armies of the kingdom.
We sometimes have the same problem as the first century
Jews. We forget who God is, and all his
promises and characteristics. The Jews didn’t recognize Jesus because they were
expecting the King of Angels and the Lord
of Hosts. The idea of a suffering servant didn’t sit well with them. We, on the
other hand, expect Jesus Meek and Mild, who loves us, forgives us, saves us,
and then forgives us again every time we mess up. The idea of a King who comes
with justice and all the Hosts of heaven to conquer the earth and rule it doesn’t
sit well with us because violence is a bad thing, even in the hands of a good
God right?
The truth is that Jesus comes to rule the earth with divine
justice that will put an end to all the evil that pervades our world. He will
not just control the violence with the threat of more violence; He will lead us
in a better way to live, and heal the wounds that poison our hearts and minds.
He comes to save us from ourselves, and from His wrath that will be poured out
on the evil in the world. This is wonderful news. This is the God we hope in
and trust.
Today, some of the children who were killed in the Sandy
Hook Elementary School shooting are being laid to rest. There are Christmas
presents, wrapped and waiting under a brightly decorated tree that will never
be opened by their intended recipients, because of the evil that exists in the world
today. We talk about this and search for meaning and a reason for it; someone
to blame, or some explanation that will bring peace to our hearts. In eight
days, we will celebrate the birth of the King of Angels who came to show us
hope and to teach us a better way live. We celebrate the one who is coming to
make all things new (Revelations 21:5), and who came and will return to dwell
among us. “They will be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any
death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first
things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).” It is right to mourn for these dear
children, for their death’s remind us all of the darkness that exists in this
world that we cannot defeat ourselves. But let us also rejoice in the hope we
have for our coming King. For, he is coming.
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