On Sunday during worship, we distributed a book of Advent Devotions to every family in our church. It is comprised of daily reflections, crafted by our own church members, to help guide our Advent Season. I am grateful for our church’s willingness to contribute to this project, and I want to make sure every family receives a copy. I think that you will find that the devotions give us a more intimate glimpse into our church family’s wisdom and insight.
Additionally, I’d like to draw to your attention to the first page of our Advent Devotional booklet. It’s a schedule for the Advent and Christmas Season. Be sure to include our church family’s holiday offerings into your own family’s plans this holiday season. (Tia: Please run the schedule as a chimes article)
If you have not already received your Advent Devotion book, you may pick them up at Sylva First Wednesdays, or on Sunday mornings, or in our church office.
When you do, you’ll be able to read excellent commentary on our Advent Season like Joseph Moon’s entry listed here:
‘The God of Hope’
by Joseph Moon
Wishful thinking is for magic and fairytales, right? Is there a difference between wishing and hoping? I think of wishing and hoping as two different things. I may “wish” that I could have a photographic memory OR I may “wish” I could retire a millionaire right now. On the other hand, hoping is being patient and deeply anticipating the unforeseeable future. I am thankful to God that He has graciously given us the greatest gift in which we can place our hope: our Lord Jesus Christ.
What exactly did Jesus do for us? What is He actively doing right now? If we are placing our life’s hope in Him, we need to allow Scripture to encourage us daily with a reminder (Rom. 15:4). We know that we have all fallen short of the glory of God and Christ is the only way to reconcile us with God (John 14:6). Right now, Christ is seated at God’s right hand with far more power than any current worldly rule (Eph. 1:20-21). Apart from Christ we have no hope, so rejoice in the hope we have through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:2).
Life is never what we plan, schedule, or anticipate. This may come as an unwelcomed surprise for most of us. I know that, if necessary (1 Peter 1:6), I will face trails for a little while. I will take comfort in knowing that these temporary sufferings don’t even come close to comparing them with the glory that will be revealed in Jesus (Rom. 8:18).
Glory be to God for His love by giving us hope through Jesus to confidently sing together: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth living just because He lives.”