Today we continue the season of Advent, which is an ancient tradition of the church that helps to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Our Advent theme this year is “Magnificat” which means to magnify or highly praise the Lord and is what we commonly call the song Jesus’ mother, Mary, sang in Luke 1.

Today we light the Candle of Joy and take our Scripture from Luke 1:51-53, He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; ⁵²  he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; ⁵³  he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

Everywhere we look, it seems like the wicked prosper.  The proud and self-promoting seem to get all the fame and applause.  The big and the powerful often run roughshod over the small and the weak.  Those who glory in their riches appear to have all the comfort and fun in this life.  The cultural elites pushing their moral opposition to God seem to be on the right side of history.

But Jesus is the great equalizer, the sovereign table-turner, the victorious champion of His people and will not be denied.  He’s stronger than the strong and will fight to bring about the good reward He has promised to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  God and those who are on His side always win!

Therefore, do not be dismayed.  As Joseph and Mary were filled with joy and the angels were filled with joy and the shepherds were filled with joy and the magi were filled with joy as the newborn Jesus lay in a lowly manger, so may you be filled with joy this Christmas.

And so, we light the Candle of Joy because the victory is ours through Jesus.

From our family to yours:  Merry Christmas!  And praise to God in the highest!

(Light the pink candle)