ADVENT ENCOURAGEMENT STUDY NOTES

​SCRIPTURE REFERENCE	​1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
​BRIEF EXPLANATION OF ADVENT	First Candle symbolizes hope. Second Candle symbolizes faith. Third Candle symbolizes peace. Fourth Candle symbolizes Joy Central Candle symbolizes love, and is referred to as the Christ Candle. The wreath symbolizes the eternity of God. The wreath symbolizes the unity within the Trinity of God. The wreath demonstrates and signifies the union the Church has with Christ. The wreath also signifies the unity the Church of God should demonstrate.
APPLICATIONS OF ADVENT TRUTHS	​Christ offers hope of salvation and eternal life. Faith in Christ means access to God and the kingdom of God as citizens and children of God. (See Jn 1:12) Jesus offers his peace as an aspect of the salvation he has won for the world. Salvation and forgiveness of sins gives joy and offers hope for the penitent sinner. We are reminded that God is love and that he has demonstrated his love for humanity. (See Rom 5:8; Jn 3:16, and 1 Jn 4:9) The Christ candle at the centre is a symbol that Christ should be in us. Christ should be the centre of our lives. We should be Christ focused (Christo-centric)