By the Rev. James Groleau, St. John Lutheran Church pastor

Advent is about anticipation of something that is coming. You see something is about to happen. Something wonderful! And, if you’ve read The Book, you know what that is.

There is a tradition of placing an Advent wreath with four candles. The candles are named: hope, peace, love and joy. The 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Advent messages at St. John’s this month will reflect on those words.

Hope is about anticipation of something that is coming. The Bible says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.”

In what do we hope?

It all goes back to the beginning. Adam and Eve were living in the garden and life was perfect. Then sin arrived and all the “perfect” was gone. God was angry. Adam and Eve were sad. They wanted things to go back to the way they were, but there was no way back. The Bible says, “All that is left is a terrifying wait for judgment, and a raging fire that will consume God’s enemies.”

What could be done? God had to do the unthinkable! God the almighty, the holy one, had to stoop down to save us. That is what Advent is about. It is about hope in the one that was promised to come, the one called Christ and messiah. Messiah has come and his name is Jesus!

Peace is about resting and being calm. The Bible teaches, “Let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace.”

So from where does peace come?

Look around and you can see peace dying. How much more anger and evil can fester in this world? How much longer can God endure the vile way we treat him, his creation, and each other? It’s hard to see peace in this world at times. There are hurricanes and fires. There are people who are filled with every kind of cruel desire.

Why do we light the candle of peace?

Because peace has come. The prophet proclaimed, “A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the answer to it all. May God’s peace rule in your hearts as we recall the savior’s birth.

Love is about caring. The Bible says, “The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” What was John thinking when he wrote that down? Jesus helps us understand. It was Jesus who would teach, “God loved the world this way: He gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned.” It’s all about love. Not our love for God, but God’s love for us.

Joy is about celebrating. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Why should we be joyful? Natural disasters, shootings, hate and anger harangue us nation-wide. People want to shut down Christmas. What was once a holy-day season of humble repentance and gratitude is now reduced to, “what did you get me?”

Where do we find joy?

Here’s what you need to know. Even when God is angry he still loves us. He never will abandon us. There in that manger will lay a baby. He will look helpless and harmless, but make no mistake. Though he humbled himself he is still the sovereign of all creation. He is Lord of lords and king of kings. He is our victorious warrior. It is at the moment of his birth that our champion has taken the field of battle and is preparing for war.

That is why baby Jesus is born. To engage the enemy in mortal combat. You’ll know when the battle is over. Jesus will stand alone and he will tell you, “it is finished!” That is the reason we are joyful. That is the true meaning of Christmas. The Prince of Peace reigns!

The Rev. James Groleau is pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, 1200 13th Ave NW, Austin. Reach him at (507) 433-2642.