During the first week of Advent, we celebrate the gift of HOPE. The prophets foretold of the Messiah who would come as the HOPE for God’s people-

In a previous post- One Word is HOPE, I wrote-

While the word HOPE seems to rest in the realm of the unseen, when present it actually prompts activity in the realm of the seen. HOPE is the fuel that prompts waiting, enduring, and continuing until an expectation comes to pass. When applied spiritually, HOPE results in obedience during the in-between of the promise given and the promise fulfilled.

I don’t often stop to think about how much our world today mirrors the world of the Bible, but when I do, I see that so much now is as it was then. We too are a people living in darkness. This year it’s come in the form of disease, uncertainty, and sometimes violent discord among people. As the calendar approaches the celebration of the first advent of Jesus, many long for his second advent- when He will come and make all things new. Suffering and death will be no more. Every tear will be wiped away.

As people who live in-between the Advent promises, we find common ground with the ancients- we are weary and in desperate need of HOPE. While we may be tempted to misplace our hope and look to a vaccine, a leader, a plan, or a resource to restore all that’s gone wrong, we need the reminder that our only HOPE is the gift of Jesus.

Scripture teaches us-

HOPE is in the name of Jesus! (Matthew 12:18-21)
Jesus is the HOPE that saves. (Romans 8:24-25)
HOPE in Jesus will not disappoint. (Romans 5:5)
This HOPE is an anchor that keeps us secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

Scripture calls us to be filled with HOPE-

As hope-filled people, we wait, we endure, and we continue with God, and our testimonies point to the living hope we have in Jesus. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of your salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5