Christ Has Come, Indeed!

And so it begins, again.  Ribbons and bows adorn the altar, wreaths hang on the wall.  The grand tree gives light to the entire scene, as the Nativity of Christ gives light to the reason for the whole scene.  Yet, resting in the center of it all are five candles.  Three purple, one pink, and one white.  The first four surround the white candle, which seems to stand as the center of it all.  Yes, the advent wreath and candles.  Many have suggested that the four purple candles represent Peace, Hope, and Love.  The lone pink candle stands for Joy, which interestingly it received this designation from the feeling of elation that the Monks would observe when they realized that they only had to hold their fast for one more week(or at least that's one explanation)  The white candle is the Christ candle.  Throughout the Advent season we watch this candle remain unlit.  Week by week one more candle shines brightly, but the Christ candle still remains dark.  I guess that the advent wreath is meant to elicit anticipation.  We are anticipating that one glorious moment in which we can light the Christ candle and see it shine brightly.  We long to see its glorious light, not because we feel that candles are more beautiful when lit, though this may be true, but perhaps for two other reasons.

First, we are a people who enjoy completeness.  We do not appreciate unfinished things.  I remember the first time that I watched Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail.  The story line was challenging to follow, but the ending was exaberating.  Just when our heroes were nearing the end of their journey, the entire film just ended, you know because of budget cuts.  If they were hoping to enshrine their film into my memory, to stand above all other movies, they achieved it.  I was so unsatisfied with the lack of completeness of the movie, that I never forgot its ending.  I wonder if they had that in mind when they posited such a conclusion?  Over the course of four weeks we are forced to depart from the church building, leaving at least one wick vacant of light.  However, each week creates hope as we find ourselves closer to lighting the Christ candle.  Finally, on Christmas Eve, in the dark of night, the final candle is lit, and its light shines forward, a picture of completion.  We rest, with nothing more to light, all the candles are producing light, alas we say "It Is Finished".

Second, all humanity for the garden to the present have yearned for that proclamation, It Is Finished.  The light of the Christ candle is more then pretty, it is potent.  It exclaims that Christ is Victor.  His light has pierced through the darkness and prevailed.  We find that John was right, "In him was life and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (Jn. 1:4-5)  It does not matter how great the darkness, the smallest spark from the small candle, prevails.  Jesus, nothing more than a baby in a manger, pierced the darkness.  Soon the darkness would pierce his hands, feet, and side.  But, there is something different about the piercing of a nail and sword compared to that of love, hope, peace, and joy.  The latter heals the wounds made by the former.  Christ has come, indeed.  As we prepare our hearts to receive this reality one again, let us do so with this thought emblazoned in our hearts: He can make broken things whole, old things news, weak things strong, and sinful things holy.  Christ has come, let us receive Him.