In the weird corner of the Twitter-sphere I occupy (the intersection of Reformed, Anglican, former Southern Baptist, Liturgical, sacramentalism, those who enjoy videos of dogs) there has been recent dust-up about the meaning of the colored Advent candles. “Joy, peace, hope, love!” “No! It’s Patriarchs, Prophets, John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary!” rings back the not so joyful response. I particularly like Fleming Rutledge’s contribution to the spat: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. An interesting if not niche debate, but ultimately these are adiaphora. Things indifferent, which lie far from the core of Gospel truth.
Regardless of which meaning is ascribed to each candle, the candles remind us that light has pierced the darkness of this fallen world. The Voice which spoke all creation into existence, cried out in a dark Bethlehem night, and will rend the skies in two at His second Advent. Advent reminds us that Christ will come again, not as a helpless child in a provincial, Roman backwater, but as Judge from the very throne of Heaven above. When that Judge comes again, will you rejoice with the saints of God who long to see every injustice set right? Or, will you shrink back because the judgment to come is on you? The last verse of the hymn “Rejoice! The Lord is King” describes that day so beautifully:
Rejoice in glorious hope,
The Lord Your judge shall come.
And take his servants
Up to their eternal home.
Lift up your hearts.
Lift up your voice,
Rejoice! again, I say rejoice!
For those who despise the Christ, that day will be one of dread, because the judgment they thought they’d skirted will finally come due. For the saints of God that judgment day is not one of dread, but rejoicing. We who have come to the Lord with heads bowed low, pleading “have mercy on me a sinner”, will on that day be raised up. And so we cry, “Rejoice!”
Music to Live By –
Pastor Josh Lake
