This is the first week of Advent – the week of HOPE. How have you seen God’s hope in your life this week?
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
This week is the first week of Advent, and it is the week of Hope. Isaiah was a prophet who told the people about the coming of Jesus hundreds of years before it happened. To give them hope.
As we prepare for the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth at the end of this Advent, we have a chance to focus our attention not just on the bright lights and holiday cheer that signify this season, but also the promise God made and its fulfillment.
How crazy must it have sounded to hear that a virgin was going to give birth to a baby who would be the embodiment of God? How hard must it have been to patiently hold on to hope over centuries, until one day, this astounding event came to pass?
We can hope in promises kept
But God never breaks a promise. No matter how many times we fail and falter, He is faithful. And that baby was born to the Virgin Mary, and he was called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”
What an amazing promise to keep!
As you start your week, allow that truth to sink into your heart. No matter how difficult or impossible something may seem, those words pale in comparison to the power of God. He has given us so much to be hopeful for; all he asks is for our faith.
This week is going to be a challenging one for me and my family, but I hold on to hope. Because we are children of a God who always keeps His word.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Have a blessed Monday!
Looking for more posts on the Advent season? Check out the other weeks:
Advent Week 2: The Week of Peace
Advent Week 3: The Week of Joy
Advent Week 4: The Week of Love
This post was originally published in December 4, 2017, but it has been updated since then.
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