The candles of the Advent wreath represent the four Sundays of Advent, a time of hopeful expectation. They have been variously named; each one brings us closer to Christmas, to the Incarnation, to the Light of the World. Each one is lit in hope, remembering that He who came at Bethlehem is coming again, to fill our world with the light of His presence.

Jesus is the eternal Word of God. All things began in Him; all things end in him. He is both our source and our completion. The eternal flame remind us of this fact - that he is true man, yet very God, the Light of all creation.

"True God from true God, begotten, not made." Yet he took on human form and, as Paul tells us, 'being found in human form, humbled himself, taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross." The Christ candle reminds us of Immanuel, the God who is with us, whose Spirit lights our daily path.

The Altar Candles remind us of Christ's real presence, especially that presence we celebrate in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Jesus was born, not only to live with us, to be our Savior, to die for us - but also that He might live forever in our hearts. As we take and eat, as we take and drink, we are united with His life, and united with one another in His Spirit.

Tonight we will light one more candle - one from the Pulpit, representing God's Word. The Word that God spoke over creation, the Living Word of Christ, is also a proclaimed Word, a shared Word. Paul says, "How are they to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'Who beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!'" We light this candle remembering the precious gift of the Gospel, shared among us.