PRAYER FOR THE LAST CANDLE OF ADVENT

Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people.

He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.

He is the Savior of us all.

O Lord, let your blessing come upon us as we light all candles of this wreath.

May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise of salvation.

May He come quickly and not delay.

We ask this in His holy name. Amen

REFLECTIONS:

Have you found and visited Jesus yet?  Have you let the world catch you up in its false things or have you been seeking to visit with Jesus this Christmas season?   We all seem to make time for what is most important to us at Christmas.  What is most important to you this year?

The fourth candle represents Christ, Emmanuel, God with us!  

This is what the world has been waiting on and hoping for and seeking since the beginning of time – Christ Our Lord!  He has come!  

He has come in the form of a baby. He has come in the form of a man.  He has come in the form of a suffering servant on a cross; and he will come again to us – in the form of the King of all kings.  He has come to us now in the form of the gift of The Holy Spirit.  

Have you found Him?  

Have you seen the signs of His presence?  

You must be alert, watching and waiting on His arrival into your heart and the hearts of others.  Like an excited child looking for Christmas Day, we too must anticipate that He is coming.  Look for the signs.  

And what do we do when he is finally here?  

When He came as a child he had visitors.  Have you visited with Jesus this season?  He longs for a visit from you.  The Angels told the shepherds and they came to see Jesus.  The star appeared in the sky and the wise men knew to visit Jesus.  Simeon and Anna waited at the Temple because they knew Jesus was coming.  They wanted to visit with Him.  

Everyone was telling everyone everywhere that God has come to dwell with us.  It can be that way again.  It can be the same today as the people from every nation, tongue and tribe come to bow before our Heavenly King and visit with Jesus.  

He is Emmanuel – God with us. 

Let the whole earth rejoice!