A Time for Hope - Advent Devotions 2019
Monday, December 2 - Carlotta Strohl
Romans 15: 13 So I pray for you Gentiles that God who gives you hope will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. I pray that God will help you overflow with hope in him through the Holy Spirit’s power within you.
With the world out of control and chaotic, I long for God to come and set the world right. He does not want us to live in pain but to find wholeness. The scripture reads, “Comfort, oh, comfort my people”. God calls us to be hope. Many people are trying to improve our justice system, churches are providing safe havens, others are helping the hungry and poverty stricken, and advances are being made in making vaccines and finding cures for illnesses. Hope helps us to keep trying, to continue waiting patiently, and working even when we feel like giving up.
When the prophet, Isaiah, foretold the birth of Christ, everyone waited patiently for his arrival. After we light the first Advent candle which symbolizes hope, we wait patiently throughout the season and focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus, the anticipation of Christmas, Jesus’ presence in people, and on the return of Christ (his second coming).
Advent is a time of hope when we as Christians affirm that Christ has come and he is present in the world today and that he will come again. God is the light and he gives life; we have to be the light that shines in darkness.
Lord give strength, courage, and hope to all of us. Give us comforting reassurance of your love so we do not lose hope during these times. In your name we pray. Amen.
Romans 15: 13 So I pray for you Gentiles that God who gives you hope will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. I pray that God will help you overflow with hope in him through the Holy Spirit’s power within you.
With the world out of control and chaotic, I long for God to come and set the world right. He does not want us to live in pain but to find wholeness. The scripture reads, “Comfort, oh, comfort my people”. God calls us to be hope. Many people are trying to improve our justice system, churches are providing safe havens, others are helping the hungry and poverty stricken, and advances are being made in making vaccines and finding cures for illnesses. Hope helps us to keep trying, to continue waiting patiently, and working even when we feel like giving up.
When the prophet, Isaiah, foretold the birth of Christ, everyone waited patiently for his arrival. After we light the first Advent candle which symbolizes hope, we wait patiently throughout the season and focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus, the anticipation of Christmas, Jesus’ presence in people, and on the return of Christ (his second coming).
Advent is a time of hope when we as Christians affirm that Christ has come and he is present in the world today and that he will come again. God is the light and he gives life; we have to be the light that shines in darkness.
Lord give strength, courage, and hope to all of us. Give us comforting reassurance of your love so we do not lose hope during these times. In your name we pray. Amen.