THE SHEPHERDS’ CANDLE (Purple signifying our penitence)
“For God so loved the world that He gave…”
John 3:16 (NASB)
The Fourth Advent Candle represents God’s sacrificial LOVE and our salvation which has been so graciously provided through the gift of His own Son, Jesus, who in LOVE gave up His life for us. It also highlights the need for man to respond to God’s gift. The shepherds remind us that it is not enough just to hear the good news of the Savior’s birth…there must also be a personal response. God has given us HOPE and PEACE by sending His Son according to His plan, but we must RESPOND in FAITH if we are to experience the true JOY of Christmas in our own hearts and lives. Christmas truly is a gift of LOVE. These are the greatest themes of the Christmas season—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE. Have you received God’s Christmas gift of LOVE in your own heart?
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John 20:30-31 (NASB)
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