INTRODUCTION
By now if you have followed all of the Advent meditations for this year; you know my thoughts about the conception of Christ (not the birth) happening on December 25th. If you missed these explanations; you may read them here: HOW GOD MAKES ALL THINGS NEW – PIECES OF THE PUZZLE – IN RELATION TO THE DATE OF CHRISTMAS.
We have explored several aspects of the concept of Christ coming to dwell among mankind in the first three lighting of the candles of Advent. This lesson will cover the thoughts with the fourth candle’s lighting. If you wish to review the first three candle meditations; you may find them here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-third-sabbath-of-advent-a-meditation-on-joy-and-love-seasons/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-second-sabbath-of-advent-a-meditation-on-seeking-and-preparing-seasons/ https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-first-sabbath-of-advent-a-meditation-on-waiting-seasons/
MEDITATIONS FOR THE FOURTH SABBATH OF ADVENT
It is the fourth Sabbath of Advent and today we are lighting the fourth candle. The fourth candle speaks to us of transformation.
With each candle we have gone through pondering a different stage of our relationship with Christ. He came to us through a great miracle at the Conception of Christ. We come to Him through the leading of God’s Holy Spirit and many times it is a process of slow transformation; one step at a time; one precept upon another with moment to moment changes in our hearts, minds and souls.
PAST THE TIME OF HOPE AND WAITING
We have gone through a time of waiting that could be similar to the waiting period Mary experienced during the nine months that Jesus was growing inside her womb.
This was a time filled with hope for the future.
PAST THE TIME OF TURNING, CONFESSING, PENANCE AND SACRIFICE
We have also experienced a time of turning, confessing, penance and sacrifice.
Every mother goes through such things as she brings a child to term.
She learns the proper things to eat and purges her body of the things that are unhealthy.
She learns how to stretch and move in ways that cooperate with the coming of the child and only does things that do not hinder the comfort of the child growing inside of her.
She finds new ways to rest properly so that both she and the child can be refreshed and renewed with sleep and rest.
She makes any sacrifices that need to be made in order to insure life and happiness for this coming child.
AS THE CHILD MATURES INSIDE THE MOTHER; THE MOTHER ALSO MATURES
As the child grows to maturity; so does the mother in many ways.
She gives up her childhood times of leisure in order to bring forth this child.
She takes on a whole new world of responsibility and work.
She doesn’t mind at all because she loves the child.
It is her joy.
LEARNING TO LIVE INSIDE OUT
By now we have given enough time and focus to the things that happen on the inside of us when we let the love of Christ rule inside our hearts. We have passed the time of learning; and now we enter the time of doing.
A Christian must learn to live from the inside out.
This means that when the things from the heart overflow, it shows on the outside too. It always starts on the inside though; and is a process of transformation in which God works to fine-tune our motives and desires and communicate to us the reasons for which He created us in the first place.
COMING INTO A TIME OF DESTINY
With the fourth candle we come to the time of destiny.
It is a time when we can look back and realize and see the progress of change and the transformations that only God can bring to us.
NO GOING BACK
After the coming of the child; the world will never be the same again. The old things will be made new and the hope of the world will be renewed and restored. These transformations have prepared us for what is ahead.
The further transformation that comes with the coming of the child will be wonderful and amazing.
AWE AND AMAZEMENT
The fourth candle stands for complete awe.
We allow this awe of the Mighty God we serve into our hearts and we worship in a way that we have never worshiped before.
We worship in truth, in beauty and in holiness.
Now we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the conceived baby is going to be a King.
We have come to a place of release and a place of peace. It is the coming of the child that brings this peace.
Are there things in your life that have changed since you made Jesus King over your heart?
Can you look back and see such transformations taking place?
I hope so.
A LONG TIME OF GROWTH THAT KEEPS ON GROWING
Positive changes indicate growth; and growth is a good thing.
After transformations and growth come the time of awe.
This is a time full of wonder and excitement and anticipation. There is only one word to describe this stage of the transformation:
Hallelujah!
COMING CLOSE TO THE TIME OF HALLELUJAH
We are so very close……we have almost reached the times of the Hallelujah.
This time of awe and wonder brings us to a time of great singing!
Mary expressed this with her Magnificat.
WE ALL HAVE A SONG THAT GOD PUTS IN OUR HEARTS
We all have a song that magnifies the Lord; find yours deep inside your heart and bring it forth with all praise and give glory to God.
Our Messiah is coming!
It is definitely a time to lift your voice and sing!
Get ready to enter the time of great joy!
This Hallelujah is even more beautiful than a flock of cardinals singing over a pure virgin snow. It is the sum of all our God-answered prayers!
It is the time of Christ beginning to get ready to live inside our world!
Wonder of wonders; our Savior comes to us!