Advent Candle #1: “From Our Fears and Sins Release Us”

LEFC Family Advent Readings: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”Isaiah 61:1-3 :: November 30, 2025Week #1: “From Our Fears and Sins Release Us”
“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again. During this year’s Advent Season, we will anticipate the arrival of our Lord by reflecting on the scriptural truth captured in the classic carol, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” It begins with this plaintive cry:
“Come, Thou long-expected JesusBorn to set Thy people freeFrom our fears and sins release usLet us find our rest in Thee”
[LIGHT FIRST CANDLE.]
Our first candle is candle of freedom.
This song by Charles Wesley, first published in 1774, expresses intense longing for the Messiah to come and bring true freedom–freedom not simply from earthly captivity but from all fear and sin.
Imagine a life unshackled by worry, concern, anxiety, dread, and fright!
Imagine a world unfettered by wickedness, iniquity, and evil in all its forms!
The Prophet Isaiah spoke of One who would one day bring such freedom. He wrote:
[READ ISAIAH 61:1-3.] 
Many centuries later, after the Lord Jesus had been born and grew into manhood, one Sabbath day, he read that prophecy of Isaiah in a synagogue and then dramatically proclaimed, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:16-21).
The long-anticipated Messiah had come to release His people from our fears and sins, and one day soon, our sins and fears will be gone forever, and we will find our rest in Him.
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus!

Photo by Jonas Von Werne