I grew up going to a small Lutheran church in Eugene, Oregon. It was filled with older folks (as I remember it) but truthfully they were probably all about the age I am now! I remember the seasons of the church with great fondness. Each season the colors on the alter changed, the prayers changed, the music changed. Church for me was dependable and trustworthy and consistent.
Today, we go to a church that is dependable, trustworthy and consistent. It is full of truth and because its fairly new, its just beginning to have “traditions” but this one thing remains the same. Its Advent. I’m so very thankful that this church has a strong theology and has enough of the ‘old reformed’ church tradition to remind me of the season’s of the church.
Advent is a time of preparation. Advent compromises the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Advent is also a time that we remember that we are a people waiting, preparing and expecting the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We remember to anticipate His arrival and to prepare for His return. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love…the focus of Advent.
This first week of advent I focused on Hope.
Psalm 146:5-7
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free…
Ya know what, just go read Psalm 146! Our hope is founded on God and what HE has done. Have you ever been a prisoner held captive to your own thoughts, your own choices, your own responses? I have. Most of our woes are caused by our own minds and hearts straying from the truth of God. He remains faithful forever. Your life may not reflect the dreams in your own mind but your life is covered by God, your life can be different just by changing your perspective. Blessed are those whose hope is in the Lord their God.
Advent is the season of hope because we look back to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, for “no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 cor 3:11)
What do you long for? Where is your hope found? I promise you if your hope is not in Jesus you will always be disappointed, always. I’m just wondering this morning if you might be called to put your hope in nothing less, then Jesus Christ righteousness. True hope is not dependent on your ability to hope but rather on God’s ability to deliver. He is the one we trust, He is hope and He is faithful!
Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
Leave a Reply