First Sunday of Advent

We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope.

May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of salvation.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:11-14

Today is the first Sunday of the Advent season. This is a reminder of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Yes, we remember his birth, God incarnate, but even more so we should remember his promise to return in clouds of glory. He came first as a tiny babe. He lived a simple life. He died a horrible death. Three days later he walked out of the tomb and death was vanquished forever.

Salvation is only possible because of what Jesus did at Calvary. He paid our sin debt. We cannot earn our way. We cannot do enough or be good enough.

God provided the answer to our sin problem. He entered into our world as an infant. Jesus Christ, God made flesh, lived among His people. He experienced life as we know it with all the joy, and all the sorrow.

Only when we see our sin can we see our need for a Savior. The good news is that Jesus has paid the debt we owe. We have only to accept His sacrifice.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be, For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:36-44

The night is well spent.

The day is at hand.

Are you waiting in anticipation for the Lord’s return?

Is He your HOPE?