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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5

The Advent candle this week is pink and it is also called the Shepherd candle which echoes the joy that comes through Jesus’ arrival, and through the gift of salvation he offered to each one of us.  This color is different than the other purple candles because it is very significant, that Christ would arrive on earth. There is no one in all of history like Jesus.

Our Advent devotional explains, “But one thing is certain.  God is interested in our salvation, a living relationship with us.  In Gerhardt’s stanza (Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me.  Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.  Oh, love beyond telling, that led you to embrace in love, all love excelling, our lost and fallen race) he was obviously attuned to the good news… grace of God.”  This grace comes to us before we are even aware, that God constantly loves us.   

I never understood the real meaning of grace until I fully accepted the love God has for me.  In my past, He was a figure of someone who was up there in heaven and I was way down here.  Once I accepted God’s love, I then knew for certain, that He is a God right here and right now. He is always with me, even when I did not realize that He was there. 

“O Lord, How Will I Greet You?” I will take time to prepare and allow the Spirit to work within, as it makes me aware of the unbinding love of God. I will sing, pray and hear the gospel, and move myself out of the way so, that the Spirit activates God’s love in me and I will give thanks to the Lord. 

The mother of Jesus, Mary, said, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; for behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.  And His mercy is to generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; he has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed.  He has given help to His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.