First Sunday of Advent

Bible Readings

First reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37

Biblical Hope

Christians can often confuse the word hope for wishful thinking...

But the biblical sense of hope is very different. Hope, in the Bible, exists as a secure assurance, a trust placed in a trustworthy God. God has not failed us in the past, and therefore, if he claims he will do something in the future, we can have a hope that he will fulfill that claim. 

Hope waits and endures. It isn’t flimsy or merely wishful thinking. It can withstand fire, trials, and despair. 

Why Does This Matter?

Hope is an important thing. It helps us during significant trials or times of distress. It offers us security that God will arrive and though we cannot see him now, we will see him face to face one day (Hebrews 11). 

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-candle-of-hope-for-advent-week-1.html

God of Hope

be with us in our Advent journey to the stable and beyond,

be with us in our meeting and in our travelling together,

be with us in our worship and our praying together,

be with us in our Advent journey to the stable and beyond, our God of hope.

https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Advent.htm#gsc.tab=0