The Advent Wreath
The Candle of Love
(Angel’s Candle)
The fourth Advent candle is the Candle of Love, also known as the Angel’s Candle. This candle symbolises the ultimate gift of God’s love, reflecting the deep affection and care that brought Jesus into our world. As we light this candle, we are reminded that love guides us to embrace others with compassion and kindness.
Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost… Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence (Rupp 2018 186).
We must do more than simply go through the Advent calendar; we must develop in us an Advent heart (Chittister, 2009, 68)
Emmanuel, God with us,
As we light the Angel’s Candle
inspire us to be
your heart of love
in our homes, workplaces
and communities.
May love be our standard
operating procedure
and our way of being
with all we meet.
May we embrace
those you send us
for care and
compassion.
Amen.
Reflection:
How can your ministry embody love and actively spread compassion this Advent?
And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13).
