Consider the Candle: The Wick!

Part 1 of 2 by B.J. Armstrong

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• Part 2

In the spirit of our Advent season let us take a moment to consider the candle. The lighting of our Advent candles begins all of our Sunday and mid-week services throughout this Advent season. So I say to you: "Consider the Candle." The candles on our Advent wreaths have a new meaning put to them every week. Our first week was Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, followed in our second week as symbolizing Jesus as our Prince of Peace. Although these are important symbols to recognize during our Advent season, I ask you to consider the wick as the symbol of Christianity.

What is in the very center of the candle? That's easy, the wick. There are many fibers that can make up the wick of a candle, but it is still one wick. What would happen if you took a knife and tried to divide the wick into two different parts? Wouldn't matter. The forces that control both the wick and the wax would work against any division that we made. Eventually the ends would come together again and become one wick.

There are many differences that we share as Christians. Some are minor, some are major. Either way, as Christians the forces or should I say the force that makes up Christianity will bring us back together. How can we be successful if we are divided? The candle tells us that no matter what divisions we make ourselves, Jesus, as the force and the center of Christianity, will bring us back together.

Christmas time is a joyful time of the year. There is no denying that. With Christ as the center of our candles, our light shines bright throughout the world! We can dim that light, but we can never put it out. Paul tells us in Romans 15: 5-6: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul encourages us as Christians to seek unity so that together, with "one heart and mouth," we may glorify God. Whether you are bogged down by the pressure of getting that perfect gift for someone, or by the pressure of differences within your family, friends, or church, Paul urges you to consider the candle. The wick in the middle is what shines bright and warms our hearts, and that screams unity!

As we come together this Christmas season, we should desire to glorify God together with others. This is our time to shine and even though we may have split the wick of the candle in two, the light of Christ and the love of Christ will bring us back together to shine brightly. Let's come together this Christmas as one. One church, one family, and one wick, to sing and praise God with our worship and fellowship.