What are you hoping for?

A good test result? An interview? A mended relationship?

 

Advent Week 1 ~ What is Your Hope? - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Hope is a funny word.  To me, it’s kind of a nebulous word for a nebulous idea or feeling.

How many times do we say, “Oh, I hope so!”

To your spouse or child, you might say, “I hope you have a good day.” or “I hope you have a great time!”

It’s kind of like a wish.

 

Other times it’s an expectation for something to happen or for someone to make something happen.

We often put our hope in things, in people, in events.

Recently, a lot of people placed their hope in a presidential candidate… hoping their candidate would win… and that their candidate would make our country a better place.

 

The Jewish people living more than two thousand years ago were hoping and wishing for rescue from the tyrannical rule of the Romans. - HOPE - 1st Day of Advent

 

We aren’t alone in that hope for an improved political climate.  The Jewish people living more than two thousand years ago were hoping and wishing for rescue from the tyrannical rule of the Romans.  They were hoping for the arrival of the Messiah to rescue them and bring about a just and peaceful kingdom.

 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.

This is the day that many will observe by the lighting of the first candle in their advent wreath.

The candle of HOPE.

It’s appropriate for the first candle to be the hope candle.

 

As weary people, we all have a longing or hope in our hearts. We hope for something better.Click To Tweet

 

As weary people, we all have a longing or hope in our hearts.  We hope for something better.  We long for God to answer our prayers.

I’ve been waiting a very long time for an answer to a particular prayer.  Maybe you are waiting for a special answer, too.

In Luke 1:1-25 we learn that Zechariah served as a temple priest and was married to a woman named Elizabeth.  They were old and had nearly given up the hope of having children.  Elizabeth felt great shame because of it.  But, one day when Zechariah was serving in the temple an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that God had heard his prayer and his wife would give birth to a son and that he was to name this baby, John.

This baby wasn’t going to be any ordinary baby. God had big plans for him.

 

The HOPE of Advent and a devotional mediation for candlelighting - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

The angel told Zachariah…

“He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.”  Luke 1:17

After John grew up, he became known as John the baptizer and did exactly what the angel said.  You might know him best for this statement,  “I am a voice from the barren wilderness, shouting as Isaiah prophesied, ‘Get ready for the coming of the Lord!’” John 1:23

Jesus, the Messiah of the Jews and us, came.  He walked on earth.  He healed people, performed miracles, and told people how they could be a part of his kingdom.  And then, he took on all the sins of the world, conquered death, and rose again.  Before he left the earth to return to be with the Father in heaven he told us that he would be back.  He also told us that he would never leave us or forsake us.

Today as we light the candle of hope…

we know that our hope is not an empty hope.  I love these lyrics… “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” … from the following song….

 

 

Jesus freed us from sin and shame.  He made a way for us to live in love and joy and peace.

Whatever our circumstance Jesus has provided a way for us.

And he has placed in our hearts a desire for something more than this world has to offer. We know that God has something better for us. And yet, while we are here, we should not only live in hope and expectation but live well because of that hope.

Because Hope with a capital “H” resides in us…

we get to be Hope-givers to a weary and hurting world.  We get to share our Hope so that others are liberated and can also walk free from chains of despair, addiction, and fear.

And though that song is not a Christmas song, it certainly is perfect for the Christmas season.  Not only of glitter and tinsel, but a season of light brought into the darkness, of hope where there is oppression, a season of redemption and renewal.

This Christmas may your life be the banner of Hope to a weary world….

 

From the Christmas song... this 8x10 "Weary World" FREE Printable available HERE >>>Download this FREE “Weary World” 8×10 printable
for personal use HERE.

 

How’s your hope?

Does it need to be super-charged with a capital “H”?

 

As we light the HOPE candle on the first day of Advent we take time for a brief devotional meditation. It brings peace to the soul and slows us down for what's really important... come join me >>>

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Advent - Light the Candle of Hope - JOYDAY! - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s JoyDay!

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God…

  1. for your love and sacrifice to give us the ultimate Hope.
  2. for being able to make a difference in the lives of two neighbors age 6 & 10.
  3. for friends who love us like family.
  4. for a LATE November walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline at sunset. 
  5. for that “special” cup of cocoa. 
  6. for your goodness in our lives not only in your provision but in the little details.
  7. for the “no’s” that get us closer to the “YES.”

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

More Advent Candle Wreath and Candlelighting Ideas….

TUTORIAL for an EASY to Make Advent Wreath here... - AnExtraorinaryday.netEasy to Make an Advent Candle Wreath | Celebrate Christmas with Peace and Purpose

Make Coastal Advent Candles -- AnExtraordinaryDay.netHow to Make Coastal Advent Candles :: Preparing My Heart for Christmas

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. jemma says

    Thank you God~
    1. For all the babies born in the world who are healthy and loved.
    2. For gardens that grow and bring me closer to you.
    3. For plenty of food in our home to share with others.
    4. For Parents who loved me so well.
    5. For leading me to my new Church family.
    6. For beautiful sunrises and sunsets that remind me of you and the beauty you created just for us.
    7. For trials that remind me to lean more on you.

    • Oh Jemma, you have had some lovely moments… especially with the sweet blessing of new babes. God is good. 🙂
      Rejoicing with you and celebrating God’s hand in your life through the good and the not-so-good.
      May your new week be filled with many wonderful God-moments.
      {hugs}

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God…..
    1. For a beautiful day of “Thanksgiving” and dinner with my Son….
    2. For this 5 day Thanksgiving Holiday, to rest, relax and re-charge remembering what is really important…
    3. That My Dear Friend, though still in ICU, is making small improvements daily….
    4. That Jordan started working part time…
    5. For an unexpected gift from one of the Teachers I work with, after having a very challenging few days that she knew nothing about…. she gifted me with a beautiful bracelet with one of my very favorite verses engraved on it ” For I know the plans I have for you”…. I truly felt that God used this gift to give me “HOPE”….
    6. For renewed “HOPE”….
    7. For for my health, my home “SOZO” , my Family, Dear Friends and fulfilling job !

    • Debbi… I just want to add a big AMEN to your seven. God is so good and keeps encouraging you and lifting you up through the challenges. I rejoice with you in His wonderful goodness and pray that you are truly overwhelmed with His peace. And thanks for the update on Lourdes. She’s going to have a beautiful testimony of healing not too far off. Be richly blessed my friend!

  3. Ellen Smith says

    1-Thank you for keeping us healthy during these unusual times.
    2-Thank you for our home & all the blessings you have bestowed upon us.
    3-Thank you for the birds & nature that bring joy as we watch in our yard daily
    4-Thank you for our church family & our priests who bring us You Lord in Eucharist.
    5-Thank you for the gift of marriage & allowing Bob & I to enjoy our 40 plus years together.
    6-Thankful & grateful for our children & grandchildren!
    7- Thankful for our loving family & friends.And my Color Street Sisterhood!

    • Beautiful! You’re thankful heart brought me JOY today, too!
      Thank you, Ellen, for taking the time to tap your gratitude and share it with me.
      May you and yours sense the loving presence of our amazing Lord during this season of Advent! <3

  4. Lynn Peterson says

    1- Thank you Lord for allowing me to help The friends of my Daughter who needed a place to stay and be safe. 2 – Thank you for the joyous blessings of my Children and Grand children. 3- Thank you for this beautiful world you created for us to live in. 4- Thank you for being my Guide and strength. 5- For blessing me with the man you had intended me to be with for the rest of our lives. 6- For Food and Shelter to keep us going. 7- For your strength and Love and Peace. Thank you

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