Yesterday was the First Sunday in the Christian year beginning the Season of Advent. The word means “awaiting” and since the 400’s denotes the birth of Christ our Savior!

The Candle of Hope is lit in worship and family Advent Wreathes on the first Sunday repressing the Hope God will bring us in the birth of Jesus.
“Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass.”

Advent is the season we prepare for the birth of Christ as if it were the first time ever! We decorate trees, yards, tables, doors and more with color and lights for a special event … the birth of Christ in our spiritual lives.

Hope in God brings us a future with HIM! Not a wished hope like I wish it would not rain but a Certain Hope that God in Jesus will meet our every need!

Forty one years ago my wife was having trouble with her pregnancy! The Christian doctor, after treating her, told me “to go home and Hope and if I couldn’t I was in the wrong business as a preacher.”

Going home I was frantic about the possibility of loosing the baby! Had a lot of what if questions?
As I read a Christian commentary on the word Hope I experienced it … the Holy Spirit revealed that whether or not we kept the baby God was going to be there for us! O K God, I got it: regardless of what happens we are going to be fine because you are with us! My wife kept the baby but at the time I did not know what was going to happen!

So, as you prepare for the birth of Christ in your life during Advent … “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” … Romans 15:13.

Blessings,
Chaplain Max