Advent week One: HOPE

This past Sunday the first purple candle was lit on the Advent wreath. The first candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" because it represents the foretelling of the coming of Christ by the prophets. The candle represents hope or expectation in the coming of Christ.

But what exactly do we hope for? What or Who do we put our hope in? Most people today put their hope in their doctor or their president or even in their retirement fund to take care of them. The LORD GOD would like us to see another way.

"the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:11

This is a LIVING hope, one that is not just in this life, but in the life to come. Life eternal! It is given to us when we are born again. When we truly believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3) 1 Corinthians 15:19 says that if our hope is only in this life, we are to be pitied.

Are we prepared to give the world a reason for the hope we have? (1 Peter 3:15)