Yesterday I posted the first half of the Advent by Candlelight devotions that I wrote for our church, so today I’m sharing the second half. The program is called, “With Us.”  

“Love’s Pure Light”

The relationships we have with one another meet a great need within us: the need for love. We were created to interact with one another, to have relationships, to support each other, to love one another. We show our love to family and friends by being there for each other and by spending time together.

Our children know that we love them when we play with them, teach them, cuddle with them. We show our love to our spouses by promising to spend our lives with them. We show our friends love by being there with them to celebrate good times and to support in bad times. We show love by being with those we love.

God shows his love to us in the same way. He is not a distant God, he is a God that is with us. He loved us so much that he came to earth on Christmas. And he continues to show his love to us by living within us, in our hearts, as the words of Ephesians tell us:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

No matter what you are going through right now, no matter what difficulties or pain you are experiencing this Christmas season, Jesus is with you:

Are you sad? He is ready to comfort you.

Are you feeling guilt? He offers forgiveness.

Are you despairing? He gives hope.

Are you tired? He will give you rest.

Whatever it is, Jesus is with you. He is, as a familiar carol says, “Loves Pure Light.” Even in our darkest moments, in our sin, our doubt, our grief, Jesus shines brightly through all of it with the light of his love.

With Us Forever

Light is a symbol of hope, of truth, and of joy. Light is also a symbol of presence.

At Christmastime, light is a beautiful reminder that Jesus, our Savior that set aside the glories of heaven to come to this cold, dark world to be the Light of the world. As John says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness.”

As we look around at the Christmas lights, at the candles that flicker on our tables, let these lights remind you that Jesus is with us and will return one day in all his glory. And in heaven, the Bible tells us that we will need no sun or moon or stars because “God himself will be their light.” We will live WITH HIM forever in the light of his love.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3

He will be forever with us.

(Silence for reflection. Candlelight ceremony).

Because He Loves Us

This is a season for celebration. This is a season for peace, hope and great joy. This is a season to gather with your loved ones, with your family, and with your friends. When you gather together with one another, pause to savor this togetherness. These connections are echoes of your connection with God.

Jesus came 2000 years ago to save us. Through faith, Jesus lives in our hearts right now. And one day, because of what Jesus did, you will see him face to face in heaven.

Hang on to these four simple words this Christmas and every day of the new year:

God is WITH US.