-Hope-
Advent…that time of year where we remember, celebrate,
and wait anew for the coming of Christ as a baby in the manger. If you go to a church like mine, you might
light a candle each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas day. These
candles represent Hope, Peace, Joy, and
Love. Let’s examine that first
candle of Advent today shall we?
Hope…that which inspires us to work for a better tomorrow
and which encourages us to endure through times of trial. We sing songs that
say things like “My hope is built on
nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” But do we really put our hope there? We enter the advent season singing about
Jesus, putting up nativities, and even going to church and watching them light
that candle that is supposed to represent the hope that Jesus brings in the
world. But, oftentimes we live in ways
that seem like our hope is built on other things.
We work overtime to make extra money to purchase things
that we don’t truly need. If our spouse
or child is later getting home than we expected, we begin to worry about what
terrible thing might have happened to them.
We fear the unknown and known alike, and do our best to make our lives
as safe and simple as possible.
What about you? Is your hope built upon Jesus? Do you trust in Him who scripture calls the
precious cornerstone? We are told by
Jesus Himself that He is returning one day.
In fact He tells us that not only is He returning, but He is preparing a
place for us who have made Him Lord in our lives. When Jesus came the first time, He brought
hope to God’s people. He desires to
bring hope into your life if you will let Him.
As you spend the coming days preparing to celebrate His birth would you
take a couple of moments to ask yourself where you place your hope? If you place your hope in anything other than
Jesus, it will eventually let you down.
However, Jesus is eternal; He has offered us a hope that never
ends. Won’t you accept that hope today?
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