The First Sunday of Advent: A Season of Hope
Advent. The very word stirs up a sense of anticipation, doesn’t it? It means “coming” or “arrival,” and for us as believers, it’s a season to reflect on the most glorious arrival in history—our Savior, Jesus Christ, leaving Heaven to dwell among us.
This Sunday, the first candle of the Advent wreath, the HOPE candle, is lit. Hope. Such a small word, yet it carries the weight of eternity.
In the busyness of the season — decorating, baking, Hallmark movies, and gift exchanges — Advent invites us to pause, to treasure the magnitude of what happened in a humble stable in Bethlehem. This is the season to remember God’s promises and His faithfulness. It’s about expectation, waiting for something extraordinary: Emmanuel — God with us.
Hope, in its truest sense, is the “exciting expectation that something good is about to happen.” It’s not the fleeting optimism of “hoping for the best,” but a steadfast assurance rooted in Christ.
The birth of Jesus brought a hope so radical, it reshaped history. Through Him, we’re not just hoping for better days — we’re trusting in the eternal promises of God.
As we wait for the fulfillment of God’s plans in our own lives, let’s remember that hope is like preparing for the birth of a child. It requires patience and trust in the appointed time. The process may stretch us, but the result is joy — God’s precious bundles of love and grace.
This Advent, delight in the Lord as Mary did, treasuring these things in your heart. Ponder the baby in the manger, who grew up to bear our burdens and offer us eternal life. He is our King of Kings and the source of our great expectations.
So, don’t give up. Keep your hope alive. Trust the process, for God’s promises never fail. This season isn’t just about what’s under the tree — it’s about the eternal hope brought to us by the One who hung on a tree for our sake.
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
May this Advent season fill your heart with hope, peace, and the expectation of all that God has in store for you.