Advent Week 1: The Candle of Hope

Written by Gail Rodgers

Dig deeper into the story of Christmas with the first of our advent life lessons – The Journey to Bethlehem.

“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Christmas is coming! There are loved ones to see, gifts to give, baking to share. We prepare our homes for the celebration. Yet even more important than this outward preparation is the preparation of our heart. The Advent season is a beautiful reminder to prepare our hearts, as we prepare our homes, to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus! Today we light the first of the four candles in the Advent wreath, the candle of Hope.

Is your heart filled with hope? Do you have a confident expectation of your tomorrow? What happens when the road ahead is filled with loss and stress weighs your shoulders down? When confident expectation in life’s tomorrow dwindles, what can you do? How can you walk in hope when you feel hopeless inside?

In one word the answer to confident expectation is “JESUS”…the Jesus of Christmas.

Hope in Jesus comes from more than just a belief that He was once a baby in a manger. This hope in Him has been called “an anchor for the soul”. It is something deep within that secures you through the storms of life. Putting your hope in Jesus will give you these four things.

Hope for Help

We are invited to come to Him and confidently ask for help. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Hope to Overcome

Things that leave one feeling powerless and hopeless come in many forms. With Christ’s strength you can overcome great obstacles, and faith in Jesus gives hope and help to overcome. 1 John 5:4 says, “and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

Hope for Power

Sometimes in life we find ourselves with a task that simply looks too big for us. We do not just need a cup of God’s strength added to our own; rather we need His strength in us to do what we need to do. He will give it! 2 Corithians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Seeing our weakness as the entry point of God’s strength gives access to His power!

Hope for Eternity

When we put our faith and hope in Jesus, it not only gives us help, strength and power where we walk today but it also gives us hope for life after death. It is a confident expectation of the ultimate “tomorrow”.

The God of Hope sent His son to be our Savior. He is only one prayer away. If you want the confident expectation of His strength and wisdom in your today and His help and hope for your tomorrow, you need only ask. Just tell Him…

Prayer & reflection

Dear God,
I have gone my own way and have put my hope in so many things that have disappointed me. Thank you that you sent Jesus, that first Christmas long ago, to be my Savior. I believe He came for me. Forgive me and come into my life today. Show me how to live in the confident expectation of how You can impact my life, my character and my circumstances. I place my hope in You right now and ask You to make Yourself known to me in my life right where I walk. I thank you.
I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen

Questions: How do you feel going into this Christmas season? Excited? Scared? Joyful? Lonely? Worried or delighted? How will you invite God’s hope into your situation?

Tags: advent, candle, Christmas, devo, Devotional, hope, Romans 15:13, week 1, Women

7 Responses to “Advent Week 1: The Candle of Hope”

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Doris says:

December 6, 2011 at 10:48 am

As our pastor said on Sunday there is only one thing that the body cannot live without and that is Hope! Thank you for the reminder of that Gail!

Lord I lift up Lynn to you today….give her hope Lord, hope that You are there with her, hope that You haven’t forgotten her, hope that You will work all things together for good. Thank you that You give us hope dear Lord. Amen
a sister in Christ says:

November 30, 2011 at 9:12 pm

Dear God,
Woo Susan this Christmas season. Help her realize that YOU want her, You want her to spend each day with You. You came for her and love her so deeply, and I Praise You for that wonderful fact. Help her fing time in Your Word each day and know that You see her and enjoy her. Thank you Jesus for spending this holiday season with your lovely Susan. In all the world we should celebrate the hope and anticipation of your arrival and your coming. In Jesus Name, Amen
Lynn says:

November 30, 2011 at 3:19 pm

This spoke to me as i read it over and over. I always get worried and not confident I can do something. Always forgetting that God is right there to help me out. I am excited for Christmas and the Birth of Jesus.. All Glory be to his name.
I am worrying about going on Sick leave EI…there are so many things I have to do. Know I will bring it before God and ask him to help me..
DonnaL says:

November 27, 2011 at 12:18 pm

Thank you Gail….beautiful and powerful reminder of what Christmas is all about. Praise God for His precious gift,Jesus our Lord!
Gail Rodgers says:

November 27, 2011 at 9:02 am

Lord God,

Today I lift Susan up to You right now and ask that You would allow her to feel Your presence with her today and show her that You are there right beside her. In the midst of family who are occupied with their own concerns she is feeling so alone. Would You please encourage her heart today. Would You please send one of Your children to give her a hug and share Your love.

I thank you that You have invited us to have a relationship with You and that You desire to walk close to us so that we can know we are not alone.

Lord, in this busy season help all of us to be aware that we are Your hands and feet and that You want to touch the lonely with Your love and Your presence.

Thank you that the message of Christmas is the message that You came to be with the lonely, the fearful and the hurting. You came to bring hope and life. Fill Susan’s heart today with hope. Fill us all with the desire to see with Your eyes and feel with Your heart this Christmas season.

We love You Lord, and we thank you for the Christmas message of hope. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Susan if you would like to email with a mentor through this Christmas season I know you would find it encouraging. You can email by clicking on talk to a mentor at the top right of this page.

God bless you and strengthen you today.

Warmly,
Gail
susan says:

November 27, 2011 at 8:17 am

Thank you for this devotional there is just nothing in my family noone cares about Christmas only about what they are getting my husband and son are working they don’t care my mother doesn’t want me around she wants to leave my stepfather in a home alone . Noone is happy I am alone there is nothing to look forward to as noone cares!! I need to be lifted up I feel very low I have been blessed already by one friend but most people are with their families my family doesn’t really care
Barbara Alpert says:

November 27, 2011 at 5:16 am

Gail,

Thank you for this wonderful devotional. Thank you for this encouraging message of hope. At this time, my “Hope in Christ” is allowing me to embrace, enjoy, and delight in this Christmas season. To Him be all the Glory and Honor! Once again, thank you Gail for taking the time to write such a beautiful devotional…