Candle representing Love in the Advent Wreath
Love, often represented by a pink candle in the advent wreath, bears two names: the angel candle and the Mary candle. While Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem fulfilled hope, provided peace, and sustained joy, it ultimately proved God’s eternal love for mankind. Without His willingness to lay aside His glory, salvation would be a fantasy.
Angels
What is an angel? Throughout Scripture, these spiritual beings always appear with a divine purpose. Sometimes, they deliver a message to specific individuals and serve as an intermediary between the celestial realm and the earthly plane. They also guard and watch over individuals, communities, or nations. Their name encapsulates not only a linguistic journey through time but also embodies a profound spiritual and cultural significance as a celestial being with benevolent intentions.
Indeed, the presence of angels in the biblical narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus is a recurring and significant theme. These angelic appearances play a crucial role in conveying divine messages and heralding the arrival of the Messiah.
Announcing the Christmas Story
In Luke 1:5-25, an angel announces that Zachariah and Elizabeth will bear a son, even though Elizabeth is too old to conceive. Their son, John, will play a pivotal role in preparing the way for the Messiah.
Luke 1:26-56 describes Mary’s encounter with the angel and yet another impossible message. She learns that she’s being given the opportunity to carry the Son of God. She humbly acceptance of this divine plan, exemplifying her faith and submission to God’s will.
In Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph learns that Mary is with child, and an angel reveals the origin is divine. He charges Joseph to take Mary as wife and to name her Child Jesus: Yahweh saves. This Child, foretold of by the prophets, will save His people.
Another angel appears in Luke 2:8-20 to tell a group of shepherds about the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. Then a multitude of heavenly beings appears with the angel, proclaiming glory to God. The shepherds find Jesus and spread the news to the whole town.
These angelic interventions serve to underscore the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ birth and to emphasize the divine and supernatural elements surrounding the incarnation. Angels act as messengers, bridging the celestial and earthly realms, conveying God’s plan to humanity, and
playing a role in the unfolding of salvation history. The presence of angels in these narratives adds a layer of awe and reverence to the miraculous events surrounding the advent of Jesus, and it portrays them as part of His divine and orchestrated plan.
Mary
This young woman from Nazarath was probably a teenager during the events described in the Luke. Her hometown was known for its obscurity and was located in Gailee, approximately 70 miles north of Jerusalem. Despite this humble background, she is singled out for a special favor by God, to be Jesus’ mother. It’s crucial to note that when God calls Mary “highly favored one,” He’s not implying that she was without sin. Nowhere in the Bible is it indicated that Mary experienced immaculate conception, a doctrine that suggests her being born without original sin. Instead, her Son will be her Savior too.
Accepting God’s Call on Her Life
Although the angel’s proclamation means she could lose everything, Mary trusts God. She humbles herself to whatever He deems best for her life, and because of the many references to her pondering everything that happened, it seems that she didn’t make decsions lightly. Despite the apparent impossibility of the situation, Mary responds with unwavering faith and submission. This gives her a key role in the incarnation, because she becomes the chosen vessel through whom God enters the world in human form. She carries and gives birth to Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilling the messianic prophecies.
Mary’s story testifies to the way God often chooses the humble and the unlikely to fulfill His divine purposes. Her obedience, humility, and faith make her a central figure in Christian theology and a symbol of divine favor and grace.
Love
In the profound verses of John 15:9-17, Jesus imparts a timeless message about love, illustrating the depths of divine love and the call for reciprocal love among His followers. God’s love manifests in various ways, including the revelation of the divine plan of salvation. God’s announcement of Christ’s birth and the choice of Mary as the vessel for the incarnation express this overarching love. The pinnacle of God’s love is unveiled through the sacrificial act of Jesus laying down His life on the cross. This act becomes the ultimate sin sacrifice, demonstrating unparalleled love and commitment to humanity.
The divine plan continuously unfolds God’s redemptive narrative. Jesus, as the embodiment of God’s love, is the central figure in this narrative, bringing salvation to the world.
Love Beyond Self
In John 15:9-17, Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them. This mandate extends beyond personal preferences, echoing the universal nature of God’s love. Jesus reinforces the inclusivity of love in Matthew 5:43-48, challenging His disciples to love even those they might consider enemies. This radical love mirrors the boundless nature of God’s love: selfless and unconditional. It goes beyond emotional affections and extends to a commitment to the well-being and flourishing of others. By extending love to both friends and perceived foes, believers imitate the divine love that seeks the redemption and restoration of all. The transformative power of this love lies in its ability to break down barriers, reconcile differences, and bring about a profound change in individuals and communities.
In essence, the love outlined in John 15:9-17 and emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 5:43-48 reflects God’s character and provides a guiding principle for believers. It surpasses announcements and plans, reaching its zenith in the sacrificial act of Christ on the cross, and it challengs believers to embody this love in their interactions with others.