Lighting the Final Candle—Celebrating the Love That Came Down at Christmas
Love. It’s the reason for everything. The reason God came. The reason He stayed. The reason He’ll come again. And in your later years, you understand love in ways your younger self never could.
Christmas is God’s love story—written in the language of a baby’s cry, told through the humility of a manger, proven by a life laid down.
Scripture:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” – Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
Additional Verses:
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
- “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.” – 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 (NIV)
- “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Scripture Reflection
On Luke 2:10-11 – “Do not be afraid.” That’s how the angel begins the greatest announcement in human history. Why? Because love casts out fear. The shepherds were terrified—confronted by the glory of heaven breaking into their ordinary night. But the angel said don’t be afraid. I’m bringing good news. A Savior is born. God’s love has arrived. This is the heart of Christmas: love coming to rescue us, love that removes fear, love that brings joy to all people.
On John 3:16 – “For God so loved…” This might be the most famous verse in Scripture, but have we let its power fade from familiarity? God loved. Past tense. Decisively. Sacrificially. He LOVED the world—not just the good parts, not just the righteous people, but the broken, messy, sinful world. And His love compelled Him to give His only Son. Love doesn’t hold back. Love gives everything. That’s what Christmas celebrates: God’s extravagant, costly, all-in love.
On 1 John 4:9 – God didn’t just tell us He loves us. He showed us. He sent His Son. Love is tangible. Visible. God wrapped love in flesh and laid it in a manger. When we wonder if God really loves us, we look at Christmas. The manger is proof. The cross is proof. The empty tomb is proof. God’s love isn’t abstract—it’s Emmanuel, God with us, love taking on skin and entering our world.
On Romans 5:8 – Here’s what’s stunning: God demonstrated His love “while we were still sinners.” He didn’t wait for us to clean up our act, to become worthy, to earn His affection. He loved us first. He loved us at our worst. He loved us when we didn’t deserve it. And if He loved us then, He certainly loves us now. Your age, your limitations, your failures—none of these diminish God’s love. He loved you then. He loves you now. He’ll love you forever.
On 1 Corinthians 13:13 – Faith, hope, and love. The three great virtues. But the greatest is love. Why? Because love endures. Faith will become sight when we see Jesus. Hope will be fulfilled when He returns. But love? Love remains forever. It’s eternal. And that means the love God has for you, the love you’ve experienced through decades of walking with Him—that love will never end. It continues beyond this life into eternity.
Additional Commentary: Love’s Full Circle in Later Life
Reflecting on the concept of God’s love can offer a significant perspective and meaning. You have lived many years to know what love is not: it is not a feeling that comes and goes based on how well you perform. It is not conditional, dependent on your usefulness or capability. It is not something you earn or something you can lose.
God’s love is evident in answered prayers, unexpected responses, provision during hardship, comfort through grief, companionship in loneliness, strength in weakness, and unwavering faithfulness throughout life.
The fourth and final candle of Advent represents this completing truth: love is why Christ came. Not duty. Not an obligation. Love. Pure, merciful, generous love.
And here is what your years have taught you: you do not have to understand love to receive it. You do not have to deserve it. You do not have to repay it. You simply receive it—the gift of a God who loved you enough to come, to stay, to sacrifice, to save.
As we light this final Advent candle, we are saying: Christmas is days away. The waiting is almost over. And what we are waiting for is love—love in flesh, love with a name, love in a manger who will grow up to love us all the way to a cross and beyond.
You have spent a lifetime learning what love is. This Advent, you celebrate the source of all love: the God who is love, who gives love, who came in love, and who will return in love.
Stories
Samuel’s Final Advent: Love That Carries You Home
Samuel, 91, knew this would likely be his last Advent. His health was failing. His doctor had been honest: months, not years. But instead of despair, Samuel felt… peace. And love. So much love.
“I’ve celebrated Advent 91 times,” Samuel told his pastor during a visit. “But I think I finally understand what it’s all about.”
The pastor waited.
“It’s about love preparing to take me home,” Samuel said simply. “Jesus came to earth—that was the first Advent. And now He’s coming for me—that’s my personal Advent. Both times, it’s love. Love coming. Love carrying me home.”
Samuel asked his family to gather for the fourth Sunday of Advent. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren crowded into his small room. Samuel, weak but clear-minded, pointed to the Advent wreath.
“Light all four candles,” he instructed. “I want to see them all burning together.”
As they lit Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, Samuel spoke: “I’ve hoped in God for 91 years, and He’s never failed me. I’ve known His peace through wars, through burying my wife, through hard times. I’ve experienced His joy even in sorrow. But love—love is what holds it all together.”
He looked at each face. “God’s love brought Jesus to earth. God’s love has sustained me through nine decades. And God’s love is going to carry me home soon. I’m not afraid. Because perfect love casts out fear.”
Samuel squeezed his grandson’s hand. “When you light these candles next year and I’m not here, remember: I’m with the Love these candles represent. And that same Love is still with you.”
Samuel passed away two weeks after Christmas. At his funeral, his family placed an Advent wreath beside his casket—all four candles burning. The pastor read 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.”
“Samuel lived through Him,” the pastor said. “And now Samuel lives WITH Him. That’s what God’s love does—it gives us life here, and life forever. Samuel understood: Advent celebrates love coming to us. But it also prepares us for when we go to Love Himself.”
Samuel’s daughter found a note he’d written, tucked in his Bible beside Luke 2. It said: “91 Advents. 91 times celebrating God’s love. Now I’m home in that Love forever. Don’t mourn—celebrate. Love wins.”
Research on death acceptance in older adults shows that those with strong spiritual foundations experience significantly less death anxiety. But Samuel’s witness is deeper: he didn’t just accept death—he ran toward it, knowing love waited on the other side.
Margaret’s Unexpected Family: Love That Creates Community
Margaret, 72, had spent the last five Christmases alone. Her husband died. Her children lived far away. Friends had passed or moved to warmer climates. She dreaded the fourth Sunday of Advent—it only reminded her how alone she was.
But this year, something different happened. Her church started a “No One Alone at Christmas” initiative. They asked: “Who in our community is spending Advent and Christmas alone?”
Margaret’s name came up. So did fifteen others—mostly seniors, widows, widowers, people whose families had scattered.
The church made a radical proposal: “What if we become family for each other?”
The fourth Sunday of Advent, sixteen “strangers” gathered in the church fellowship hall. Ages ranged from 68 to 94. They barely knew each other. But they lit the fourth candle—Love—together.
One woman brought cookies she’d baked. A man brought photos of his late wife. Another woman brought a board game. They sang carols (off-key, with forgotten lyrics). They told stories. They laughed. They cried. And somewhere in the evening, something extraordinary happened: they became family.
“I came tonight feeling so alone,” Margaret admitted, tears streaming. “But sitting here, listening to your stories, singing with you—I don’t feel alone anymore. This is what love does. It creates family where there wasn’t one before.”
They decided to meet every Sunday through Christmas. Then every month. They celebrated birthdays together. Visited each other in hospitals. Called when someone didn’t show up. Prayed for each other. Carried each other’s burdens.
“We’re the Advent Family,” they called themselves. “Because we met during Advent, and we discovered that God’s love makes us family.”
Margaret reflected a year later: “I thought I’d lost my family when my husband died and my kids moved away. But God gave me a new family—not by blood, but by love. That’s what the fourth Advent candle taught me: love doesn’t just connect us to God. It connects us to each other. And when we love each other the way God loves us, we become family.”
Research on social connection in older adults shows that chosen family (close non-kin relationships) can be as beneficial as biological family for health and well-being. But Margaret’s Advent Family discovered the deeper truth: love is what makes family—biological or not. And God’s love creates bonds that last.
Thomas’s Gift: Love That Gives When You Have Nothing Left
Thomas, 85, had little money. His pension barely covered basics. He lived in a modest studio apartment with second-hand furniture. When the fourth Sunday of Advent arrived, Thomas felt the familiar sting: he had nothing to give for Christmas. No presents to wrap. No grand gestures to make.
“What kind of love can I show when I have nothing?” he wondered.
Then Thomas remembered: love isn’t about what you give. It’s about giving what you have.
Thomas had time. He had presence. He had a lifetime of stories. He had listening ears. He had a warm smile. He had prayers.
So Thomas became the “Advent Love Visitor” at his senior living complex. He knocked on doors of other residents—especially those who seemed lonely—and asked: “Can I sit with you a while?”
To Mrs. Chen, who rarely left her room, Thomas brought origami he’d learned as a child, and they folded paper together.
To Mr. Rodriguez, who missed his home country, Thomas listened for hours to stories of Puerto Rico and looked at faded photos.
To young Sarah, the nursing assistant working double shifts to support her kids, Thomas gave a handwritten note of encouragement and prayed for her children by name.
To the woman grieving her husband, Thomas simply sat in silence, holding her hand while she cried.
“I can’t give presents,” Thomas said. “But I can give presence. I can give attention. I can give compassion. That’s love, too.”
On Christmas Eve, several residents surprised Thomas with a small gathering in his honor. “You gave us the best gift,” Mrs. Chen said, crying. “You made us feel seen. Valued. Loved. That’s more precious than anything money can buy.”
Thomas wiped his own tears. “I learned something this Advent: God’s love doesn’t require abundance. It doesn’t require resources. It just requires willingness. When I said ‘I have nothing to give,’ God said, ‘Give yourself. That’s enough.’ And it was.”
Thomas’s pastor, hearing about his Advent visits, shared the story with the congregation on Christmas Day. “Thomas embodied what the fourth Advent candle represents: merciful love. The kind of love that gives not from abundance but from willingness. The kind of love that sees people and makes them feel valued. The kind of love that mirrors how God loves us—fully present, deeply attentive, sacrificially generous with Himself.”
Research on volunteerism and aging shows that giving (even when you have little) increases life satisfaction and sense of purpose. But Thomas discovered the biblical truth: love is measured not by what you give, but by the heart with which you give. And when given with God’s love, even the smallest gift becomes infinitely valuable.
Reflection
We’ve journeyed through Advent together. We lit the candle of Hope, trusting God’s promises. We lit the candle of Peace, surrendering to His presence. We lit the candle of Joy, celebrating despite circumstances. And now we light the fourth and final candle: Love.
Love is the culmination. The purpose. The reason for everything.
God didn’t send a message from heaven telling us He loved us. He came Himself. Wrapped love in flesh. Laid love in a manger. Named love Jesus. Love didn’t stay distant—love came near. Emmanuel. God with us.
John 3:16 says it clearly: “For God so loved the world…” It all starts with love. Everything flows from this: God loved. Not because we were lovable, but because He is love. Not because we deserved it, but because love gives without counting cost.
And His love compelled Him to give—everything. His only Son. Born in a stable. Laid in a feeding trough. Worshiped by shepherds. Growing up in obscurity. Living among us. Teaching, healing, serving. And ultimately, dying on a cross.
That’s love. Not a sentimental feeling. Not shallow emotion. Sacrificial, costly, all-in, nothing-held-back love.
Romans 5:8 reminds us: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t wait for us to deserve it. He loved us first. He loved us at our worst. He loved us when we couldn’t love Him back.
And if He loved you then, He certainly loves you now.
Your age doesn’t diminish His love. Your limitations don’t lessen it. Your failures don’t disqualify you from it. God’s love is steadfast, unchanging, and eternal. It’s the same love that brought Jesus to Bethlehem, kept Him on the cross, and raised Him from the grave.
That love is yours. Right now. Today. This Advent. This Christmas. Always.
In your later years, you understand love differently than you did when you were young. You know now that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment, a choice, a faithful presence through every season. You’ve experienced decades of God’s love: in answered prayers and silent prayers, in joyful seasons and sorrowful ones, in strength and in weakness.
You’ve learned that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. God didn’t come to perfect people. He came to be WITH people. Emmanuel. That’s love.
Samuel understood this as he prepared for his final Advent. Love wasn’t just something he celebrated at Christmas—it was what carried him home. Love came for him at birth, walked with him through 91 years, and now love would take him home to eternity.
Margaret discovered that love creates family. When the biological family is distant or gone, God’s love draws us together in new configurations of care and connection. Love doesn’t require blood relation—it requires open hearts.
Thomas learned that love gives what it has, not what it lacks. He had no money, but he had presence. He had time. He had compassion. And when given with love, these “small” gifts became invaluable treasures to those who received them.
This is what the fourth Advent candle illuminates: Love is everything. It’s why Jesus came. It’s what sustains us. It’s what we’re called to give. And it’s what will last forever.
1 Corinthians 13:13 says it beautifully: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Why is love the greatest? Because love endures. When we see Jesus face-to-face, faith will become sight. Hope will be fulfilled. But love? Love remains. Love is eternal. Love never fails. Love never ends.
The love God has for you will outlast your body. It will outlast your earthly life. It will carry you through death into eternal life. And there, in God’s presence, you’ll discover the fullness of that love—perfect, complete, face to face with Love Himself.
As theologian Karl Barth said: “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” And gratitude is the natural response to love. When we truly grasp how deeply we’re loved—unconditionally, sacrificially, eternally—joy and gratitude overflow.
This Advent, we’ve prepared our hearts. We’ve hoped. We’ve found peace. We’ve discovered joy. And now we celebrate love—the love that came down at Christmas, the love that sustains us through every season, the love that will ultimately bring us home.
When you light that fourth candle, remember: this isn’t just a symbol. It’s a declaration. God loves you. He came for you. He’s with you. He’ll never leave you. And when this life ends, love will carry you home to be with Love forever.
That’s the Christmas story. That’s the Advent journey. That’s the gospel truth: God so loved the world—God so loved you—that He gave everything.
Receive that love. Rest in that love. Reflect that love to others. And when Christmas morning comes, rejoice: Love has arrived. Love is here. Love has won.
5. Practical Truths (Going Deeper)
- Love is proven in action, not just words. God didn’t just say He loved us—He demonstrated it by coming, living among us, dying for us. This Advent, how can you demonstrate love in action? Like Thomas, give what you have. Like Margaret, create a family through love. Like Samuel, prepare to meet Love face to face.
- You are loved unconditionally. Romans 5:8 is clear: God loved you while you were still a sinner. Nothing you’ve done disqualifies you from His love. Nothing you’ll do can make Him love you less. His love is unchanging, unearned, unconditional. Receive it.
- Love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love drives out fear.” If you’re afraid of death, of the future, of being alone, of being forgotten—remember: God’s love is with you. Samuel faced death without fear because he knew love waited on the other side. That same love holds you.
- Love creates community. Margaret’s Advent Family proves it: love draws us together. You don’t need a biological family to experience family love. When God’s people love each other as He loved us, we become family. Look for opportunities to give and receive this kind of love.
- Love is the point of everything. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). Everything comes back to love. At the end of your life, what will matter? Not accomplishments or possessions. Love. The love you received. The love you gave. Let that shape how you live these remaining Advents.
Prayer
God of Love, as we light this final Advent candle, we stand in awe. You loved us so much You came. You wrapped Yourself in flesh, entered our broken world, lived among us, died for us, rose for us. That is love beyond our understanding. And yet You ask us to receive it—simply, freely, completely. Lord, help us grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your love for us (Ephesians 3:18). When we doubt our worth, remind us: You gave Your Son for us. When we feel unlovable, whisper: I loved you first. When we are afraid, hold us: perfect love casts out fear. Like Samuel, help us face even death knowing Your love carries us home. Like Margaret, help us create a family through love. Like Thomas, help us give love generously from whatever we have. And when Christmas morning comes, let our hearts overflow with gratitude for this greatest gift: Love came down. Love is here. Love will never leave. We are loved eternally, completely, perfectly. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. In the name of Jesus, Love in flesh, Amen.
Call to Connection
Today’s Challenge: This final week of Advent, give love intentionally. Like Thomas, identify something you can give (time, presence, prayer, a note, a call) and give it generously. Also, receive love—let someone help you, accept kindness, believe God when He says you’re loved. Both giving and receiving are acts of love.
Community: How has God’s love sustained you through your years? Share your testimony of His faithful love! And if you need to hear “you are loved” today, leave the word “Loved” below—we’ll remind you.
Related Music
- “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Traditional Carol
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Charles Wesley
- “O Holy Night” – Adolphe Adam
- “The First Noel” – Traditional Carol
- “Love Came Down at Christmas” – Christina Rossetti
Facts & Research
- Research on death acceptance shows that older adults with strong spiritual foundations experience significantly less death anxiety and greater peace about mortality.
- Studies on social connection demonstrate that “chosen family” (close non-kin relationships) can be as beneficial as biological family for health and well-being in older adults.
- Research on volunteerism and aging shows that giving (even when one has little) increases life satisfaction, sense of purpose, and even longevity.
- Studies in positive psychology confirm that gratitude (the response to love) is one of the strongest predictors of well-being and life satisfaction across all age groups.
- The Harvard Study of Adult Development’s 80+ year research confirms that quality of relationships—characterized by love and connection—is the strongest predictor of health, happiness, and longevity.
Quotes from Resource Persons
Karl Barth, Theologian: “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
C.S. Lewis, Author: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give it to no one… The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.”
St. Augustine: “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”
Brennan Manning: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
Source/Footnotes
- Augustine. The Confessions. Translated by Maria Boulding. New York: New City Press, 1997.
- Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. Vol. 4, The Doctrine of Reconciliation. Edited by G. W. Bromiley and T. F. Torrance. London: T&T Clark, 2004.
- Harvard Study of Adult Development. “The Longest Study on Human Happiness.” Harvard Medical School. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/.
- Lewis, C. S. The Four Loves. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1960.
- Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out. Portland, OR: Multnomah, 1990.
Stories of Samuel, Margaret, and Thomas are composites based on pastoral care experiences, with names and details changed to protect privacy.
