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Friday, December 4, 2015

Advent: Week 1—The Candle of Hope (or The Prophet’s Candle)


For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  (Isaiah 60:2-3 KJV)

*A special time of year is upon us—the season of Advent.  On November 29, 2015, we marked the first Sunday of Advent; this post takes a look at the first candle.  To read the first post in my Advent series please see: Advent.


From http://thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/uploaded/b/0e2647577_1384444032_blog-advent-2013.jpg

The dictionary defines hope simply, as: “to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true”.[1]

The biblical definition of hope differs from the secular view of hope.  Seen from the eyes of faith, hope is: “…a confident expectation…regardless of temperament or circumstances, where there is a belief in the living God who intervenes in human life and who can be trusted to keep…promises…Hope is therefore inseparable from faith…”[2]

This is the type of Hope we celebrate at Christmas.  A Hope that is solid and lasting—it never fails.  The Hope I am referring to is Jesus.  Click here to Tweet.

Which type of hope do you experience in your daily life?

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6 KJV)


From http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs110/1102474607187/img/227.jpg?a=1115779995146

On the first Sunday of Advent are reminded that Christ is our Hope.    

Jesus is our Hope; without Him, we are lost and destined for an eternity that no one should desire.  Click here to Tweet.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5 KJV)

On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Hope (or in some traditions it is the Prophet’s Candle).  The Bible is full of prophecies about the Messiah—giving details about both comings.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.  In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.  In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.
(Jeremiah 33:14-16 KJV)

Hope came to our world—dark with sin—in the form of a tiny, vulnerable baby.  This child grew and developed like a normal human child; yet He lived a sinless life.  Eventually, He suffered, bled, died, and rose again to save us from our sins.

As Christians, we are indeed blessed with Hope—hope that the world does not have and does not understand.  Click here to Tweet.  To have hope, means that we can see more than what is right in front of us.  This hope gives us great confidence—confidence that strengthens and encourages us.  It is also something that the world cannot understand.  This hope allows us to praise God in the darkest times of life.  Click here to Tweet. 

How have you experienced this type of hope?  How have you seen this in the lives of others?


What will your response be this year to Jesus?  He stands ready to come into your heart; He has already said yes to you.  What is your response? 

Take some time this week to consider the following questions:  

What does it mean to have hope? 

Where does your hope lie—in Jesus or in something or someone that cannot save? 

From http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/LifeWayChristianResources/005588856?$Product$
Therefore, as we commence this season of Advent let us prepare our hearts to welcome in Jesus our Savior and Lord!  Jesus the One who is our Hope!  Click here to Tweet.

Please do not forget your single friends, family, neighbors, or those in your church who will be alone on Christmas Day—consider inviting them to join with your family (no matter how simple and informal the gathering is)—the blessings will flow both ways!  Whatever you do, please do not tell them, “Oh, God is with you…” and then walk off, ignoring their hurting heart and heart-felt desire to fellowship with others on Christmas Day.  Do not assume they want to spend the day alone.  Your family may be the only family they will get to experience…EVER. 
 
Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we have through Jesus Christ—our Lord Immanuel—God with us.  Help us to remember that Hope; particularly as we wait in expectation for Christ’s coming.  Guide our thoughts when we struggle to find Hope in the various challenges of life.  We are encouraged through Your Hope; direct us in sharing that Hope with others.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim







[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope
[2] New Concise Bible Dictionary, “hope”, pp. 226-227, Ed. Derek Williams, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1989).

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, as always, Kim!
    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Martha! I'm so thankful for Jesus and the HOPE that He is and brings.

      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Where would we be without that blessed HOPE that we have in Jesus? We would be hopeLESS. Praise God for giving us His Son...our HOPE for all eternity. Thank you for this very insightful and inspirational post for the first candle of Advent. I love your perspective on this. Blessings dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comments. Yes, life without Jesus is hopeless! I'm so very thankful for Jesus and all He did for us.

      Blessings, dear friend.

      Delete

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