Candle of Hope
Advent wreath is the candle of Hope. Hope is missing in many places in the world today. Christ came to give the world hope. Hope for the man who is lost in addiction. Hope for the young mother abandoned by her husband. Hope for the sick, for the lonely, for the depressed. Most of all, He gave hope for a lost and dying world on its way to hell.
When Longfellow wrote his poem, which became the carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, he was writing about the American Civil War. In one of the verses eliminated from the carol version, partially because it mentioned cannons firing in the south, he wrote this line about it all. And with their sound, the anthems drowned, of peace on earth, good will to men. His world was without hope. Without peace, which is represented by another advent candle.
The carol O Holy Night was banned in parts of the south, because of its strong anti-slavery sentiment. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease! There is hope for those enslaved. Enslaved to sin? Enslaved to anger? Enslaved to bitterness? Christ brings Hope! A hope where there seems to be no hope. A peace that passes all understanding. Joy unspeakable and full of glory, untouched by the surface level ups and downs of daily life. He brings love, when we need it the most. And yes, I did sneak in all four advent candles there. Hope Peace Joy Love.
Are you in a situation which seems hopeless today? Christ gives hope. Hope isn’t putting on a fake smile and pretending everything is fine when its not. Instead, it is recognizing that things aren’t always going well, but realizing that we have a big God who is able to take care of us no matter what. Now that’s hope!
This Christmas season, let’s remember that the baby in the manger is now seated on the right hand of the Father in Glory, and let’s place our hope in Him. Have a good Christmas everybody. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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