The final candle is the Messiah Candle
The Prophet’s Candle represented the hope of Israel in the promise of the Messiah. The Bethlehem Candle represented the faith of Mary and Joseph when they obeyed God’s commands. The Shepherd’s Candle represents the joy of those who received the good news of the Messiah. Finally, the violet Angel’s Candle represents the peace that Christ brings with His heavenly kingdom.
The term “peace” has some complex roots. The Hebrew word Shalom translates to something like “completeness” and can mean a variety of good things, such as harmony or prosperity. The Greeks translated this in the Septuagint to Eirene, which sort of translates to “the state of being opposite to conflict,” both in terms of war and in terms of an emotional state. Influenced by these Greek and Hebrew meanings, we, as Christians, have come to see peace as “The good that comes from God.”1 The peace of Christ brings an end to conflict, both in our hearts and, in many cases, the world as well.
This final Advent candle reminds us of the promises of God that we have faith in, hope for, and rejoice over, and that these promises should bring about peace in our hearts. When we believe that God will fulfill His word, our reasons for worry diminish. We know that in the end everything will turn out for the best. God recognizes the chaos of the world around us and gives us His supernatural peace which helps us persevere in righteousness.
WE can find one example of the power of Christ’s peace in the life of His servant Pope Saint John Paul II. Despite suffering the loss of his family, the ravages of war and oppression, and even attempts on his life, Pope John Paul exuded peace. People often noted the overwhelming warmth and joy he radiated to those around him. This same man at peace helped bring about an end to the Cold War, saving millions from oppression, and thereby restored peace to much of the world. If we could ask him today, he would probably attribute all of these achievements to God.
With Christmas just two days away, let us reflect on God’s gift of peace. In the words of Saint Paul, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
A statue of Pope Saint John Paul II in liberated Poland
Chris Tarantino is the Communications Director for TOBET. He studied History at The University at Texas A&M and has written for the Tennessee Register and Nashville Catholic.
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