I know what you may be thinking. “How in the world can fire be fake? It is either fire or it is not fire.”

This past Christmas season, I started looking for Advent candles early…before Thanksgiving. In the past few years, they have become increasingly difficult to find in stores. I know, I can go to Amazon and order them. There is just something so satisfying about going to the local Hallmark store, talking to the owner who knows you and making the purchase.

This year I found a pack of Advent candles and picked them up. Being a good shopper, I checked the price and it was $39.99. I just about fainted. I knew there was a shortage of goods but that seemed ridiculous.

I picked up another box of candles and they were $14.95. That was better.

As I held the two boxes to compare them, I realized the expensive box contained the flameless candles. I could use them for years and years. I would not have to search for candles. I’d always have them.

Now I have used flameless candles before. I am not necessarily against using them. But as I considered the purpose I was going to use them for, I just had to have the real thing. How could I use “fake fire” to celebrate the Advent of our Messiah?

And yet, don’t we all do that sometimes in our spiritual life? We get busy serving Him. We do Bible study to have knowledge and we don’t know Him. It’s so easy to “do stuff” and not cultivate a relationship.

I just don’t want “fake fire” inside me. I want the love of Christ to burn inside my heart..inside your heart…

Let’s take an inventory of our hearts as we begin 2022. I know I surely need to.