Advent: Week One

Hope is the theme of the first Sunday in advent, which begins November 27th. On this Sunday the church often reflects on the Prophets and their message of anticipation and longing for the coming Messiah. They were often pointing the people of Israel to hope in the coming of the Anointed One of God; the one who would make all things right. The coming Kingdom of God was anticipated in their message and they saw it when other despaired.

This message of hope is an important one at Christmas. Hope has dawned in the coming of Christ. All sufferers and sinners can anticipate a day when the world will be set right because Christ has come and offers salvation to all who trust in Him.

But one of the important details about Christmas hope is that it isn’t merely a sentimental nice feeling about the holidays or even believing that life will get better. In fact, many faithful voices over the years have noted that the hope that dawns at Christmas can leave a bad taste in our mouths about this life. It points us beyond our current experiences to see hope beyond this world and these earthly pleasures! Hope is bigger than just pleasant feelings, and Christmas hope is truly about something bigger than us and this life.

In light of this message of hope, here are some wonderful things to check out this week.

Listen:

1. “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by King’s Kaleidoscope
2. “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle
3. “In the Bleak Midwinter” by John Van Deusen
4. “Snow Like Wool” by Ronnie Martin

Read:

1. “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson
2. “Wintering” by Hannah Anderson (found in Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World)
3. “The Journey of the Magi” by T.S. Elliot
4. “Power to Become Children” by N.T. Wright