John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Christmas Eve was this past Saturday and with it the conclusion of the Advent season. On Christmas Eve the Christ Candle of the Advent Wreath was illuminated. The five candles of the Advent Wreath represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Christ Jesus.
The Christ Candle sits in the middle of the Advent Wreath. It is fitting as Christ is also the center of our Christian faith. Without Christ in the middle of our lives we would be unable to fully appreciate the meaning of the other four candles of Advent. The warm glow of the five candles should also remind us that Christ is the Light of the World.
As we move beyond the Christmas season, and longing for remaining Christ centered, I conclude with this chorus of ‘Day by Day’, from the musical ‘Godspell’.
Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh, Dear Lord,
Three things I pray,
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by Day