Advent - 1 - Hold on to Hope
This evening, Advent begins We light the first candle and we wait in hope. In this Sunday’s reading, we hear words of hope. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD tells that “the days are coming … when I will fulfill the promise I made” (33:14-16) and Jesus instructs disciples to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36). These are days when our world needs hope, a hope rooted in faith (Hebrews 6:19), a hope grounded in a faith that knows God’s promises are fulfilled. In these days of darkness, both inner and outer, let us hold on to that hope. Hold firm and wait for the Lord. He will come. We pray: Come Lord Jesus, quickly come! Maranatha!