The Journey of Hope

The calendar year comes to an end as the Christian world prepares to go on a journey of anticipation and reflection known as Advent. It's a season of hope, expectation and spiritual preparation leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The Light of Advent

One of the most recognizable symbols of Advent is the wreath with its four candles. They are progressively lit each week until all the candles are illuminated. Each candle has a special meaning and each one represents 1,000 years totaling the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the coming of the Savior. The first candle, sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle”, represents hope. Hope is a powerful force that sustains us in times of darkness and uncertainty. In the context of Advent, hope is not merely wishful thinking but an optimistic expectation that God will fulfill His promises.

The Coming of Christ

This draws us into the Old Testament readings from the Prophet Isaiah who foretells the coming of Jesus. It is a call for reflection on the hope that Jesus brings into our lives. Hope has the power to pull us out of the circumstances which restrain us from fulfilling our heavenly purpose and direction. In the rush of the holiday season, it's easy to become distracted by material concerns and forget the true meaning of Advent.

Living the Advent Message

As we light the candle of hope, we are reminded to slow down, prepare our hearts, and mirror the love and compassion of Christ. May our Advent journey be a time of spiritual growth as the light of hope guides our way. Let us be filled with anticipation of Christ's birth with a heart prepared to receive Him in all His glory.