-
Advent – The Hope of Hosea
Advent is a season of reflection that has largely been hijacked by the commercialism that accompanies Christmas. However, in the Christian tradition, Advent is a time of longing and expectancy as we reflect on the birth of Christ and ultimately, our hope in his second coming. This week, the first candle of Advent, known as the Hope (or Prophet’s) Candle was lit in churches around the world. Some traditions mark this as time to remember the prophets from the Old Testament, as well, who foretold of the birth of the Christ child. These prophetic words from the Old and New Testaments intersect with our lives with regularity. When our “spiritual…
-
Advent – Season of Hope
As Christmas approaches, churches around the world will commemorate the season with the lighting of the candles of Advent, a word that means “coming” or “arrival”. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming. Advent begins on the first Sunday of December with the lighting of the HOPE candle. The word HOPE in the Greek is ELPIS which when translated actually means “joyful, confident expectation”. In my mind, I have loosely tied the word HOPE to something resembling wishful thinking, Phrases like “I hope my car starts this morning” or ” I hope my client decides to put an offer on this…