Day 1: By Juno Smalley
"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6
Hi friend,
May this time in Christmas Reflections draw you closer to God, to your family, and to your friends. So, here we are, the beginning of Advent.
Advent's candle this week is HOPE. Hope is a critical part of our beliefs and influences our emotions, attitudes, and approaches in almost all of life’s circumstances. People have a lot to say about hope:
- “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.” – Magic Johnson
- from the Hunger Games, we have this classic movie clip. Click here.
It is critical that we put our hope in the right place, and during this Advent season, we are reminded that our hope is in Jesus. Our hope isn't in the items we own, our friends, our families, our jobs, our home, or our investments.
The Psalmist reminds us where to put our hope...
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope." Psalm 130:5
"The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:11
Paul reminds us: "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5
Hi friend,
May this time in Christmas Reflections draw you closer to God, to your family, and to your friends. So, here we are, the beginning of Advent.
Advent's candle this week is HOPE. Hope is a critical part of our beliefs and influences our emotions, attitudes, and approaches in almost all of life’s circumstances. People have a lot to say about hope:
- “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.” – Magic Johnson
- from the Hunger Games, we have this classic movie clip. Click here.
It is critical that we put our hope in the right place, and during this Advent season, we are reminded that our hope is in Jesus. Our hope isn't in the items we own, our friends, our families, our jobs, our home, or our investments.
The Psalmist reminds us where to put our hope...
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope." Psalm 130:5
"The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:11
Paul reminds us: "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5
Sunday’s Song
Today’s song is sort of a remix of a classic Christmas song. It's called, ‘O Come, All You Unfaithful.’ At first, I thought it was a slam on the church, yet I confess I have listened to this song dozens and dozens of times throughout the year. It's a wonderful reminder that Christ indeed came for all the unfaithful, which means you and me. Jesus came for the weary, the bitter, the tired, the self-sufficient, you and me. It profoundly reminds us of the hope in Jesus while pointing us to the world that Jesus came to save.
As you listen to it, think about those in your life who need hope and peace, and if in your mind, that is you, remember Christ was born for you. May you have a renewed experience of God’s overwhelming love and grace this Advent season.
Click here and listen, and I truly trust you will be encouraged and reminded that Christ was born for you, your neighbor, your family, and your friends. I trust you will be intentionally listening to and allowing God to speak to you and through you as Christ brings Hope to your heart.
May God give you the strength, energy, and hope that you need to befriend those who are broken, weary, and carrying heavy burdens.
As you listen to it, think about those in your life who need hope and peace, and if in your mind, that is you, remember Christ was born for you. May you have a renewed experience of God’s overwhelming love and grace this Advent season.
Click here and listen, and I truly trust you will be encouraged and reminded that Christ was born for you, your neighbor, your family, and your friends. I trust you will be intentionally listening to and allowing God to speak to you and through you as Christ brings Hope to your heart.
May God give you the strength, energy, and hope that you need to befriend those who are broken, weary, and carrying heavy burdens.
Sunday’s Prayer
Lord, As I think about hope, forgive me for putting my hope in the wrong places.
Keep my heart focused on you as my hope and on you as the world's hope.
Lord, thank you for how you remind me of your hope. Help me keep perspective on the world you have placed me in. Lord, help me to remember your hope is not just for me but for everyone. Lord, help me to be a channel of your hope to the world. Lord, allow the hope that I have in you to impact the fears lurking around in my heart and mind.
Amen
As you read through these Christmas Reflections, in this season of preparation, this is my prayer for you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Keep my heart focused on you as my hope and on you as the world's hope.
Lord, thank you for how you remind me of your hope. Help me keep perspective on the world you have placed me in. Lord, help me to remember your hope is not just for me but for everyone. Lord, help me to be a channel of your hope to the world. Lord, allow the hope that I have in you to impact the fears lurking around in my heart and mind.
Amen
As you read through these Christmas Reflections, in this season of preparation, this is my prayer for you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022