Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.
-Teilhard de Chardin
It’s gloomy enough. The skies are gray, here. Snow is expected. We’ve been watching the storm warnings all day, wondering if we will have church.
But regardless, we will light the pink candle, the candle of joy. We’re halfway through advent, waiting for the white one, the Christ candle. And here, suddenly, a splash of color and a glimpse of the wonder to come.
It’s easy to imagine how a child might see this. All this purple. All this gloom. And now we have a pink candle. Something exciting is about to happen. Only one more purple candle. And then, Christmas. All this waiting, but it’s getting close.
If only adults could see it this way. God’s people had been waiting. The prophets were silent and the voice of God had not been heard for 400 years.
And now, things are happening. There is a census, with people traveling. Elizabeth is giving birth, Zechariah is prophesying, Mary is seeing angels, Joseph is having visions. It’s Narnia, and Aslan is on the move.
And now, a pink candle. We can hardly contain ourselves. Joy is breaking out. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. Let Heaven and nature sing.
It’s enough to get me excited, and I’m a Baptist.
Yes, we are still waiting. But our anticipation is growing. There will be a white candle soon. And a birth. And a resurrection. And a coming. The kingdom of God and the glory of Israel.
Peace and righteousness will flourish. Justice and mercy will kiss each other. The lion will lie down with the lamb.
How could there not be a pink candle?
So light a candle today, even if you don’t have a pink one. Gather around the table with family and friends.
Sing a song and rejoice. The Lord is coming.
And He is very close.
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See also:
The candle of hope and the wisdom of waiting.
The candle of peace a response of obedience.
the daysman 