Preparation & Peace

On Sunday, we will be lighting the second Advent candle, the Bethlehem Candle, that represents Preparation and Peace. It is a time for us to be reminded to “get ready” or “ready ourselves” for the coming of the Messiah, which was proclaimed in the book of Isaiah and repeated in Luke:
 
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” 

Though we know that Christ came 2,000 years ago in the small, insignificant town of Bethlehem, we are reminded that Christ will come again – the Second Advent — and it will be glorious. As followers of Christ, we wait and prepare, or “ready ourselves,” for his Second Coming by being dressed for service as we keep the lamps of our hearts burning.