It’s tough to be a Dallas Cowboys fan these days. It was the first Thanksgiving I remember not being excited about the Cowboys playing football. They’re actually on a two-game winning streak. I should be excited, but I have little hope for the boys.
Many Cowboy fans feel the same way. We start the season feeling so hopeful, anticipating a winning year. Then, week by week, our hope is turned into disappointment and dread. Another bad season. And then we woefully say "Maybe next year..."
Why am I so prone to place my hope in people, things, or a football team that disappoints? Because I do. And you do too. We can place our hope in our finances, homes, professions, children, health, stability, accomplishments, friendships, marriage, football teams, and more. But the biblical sense of hope is so different. Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking. We have a trustworthy God who will never leave us, forsake us, or fail us. If God claims He will do something, He will.
This is the first week of Advent. Many light a purple candle each week for Advent. We have an Advent candle my dad made that’s a disk cut from a log. It has four holes for the purple candles and one hole in the middle for Christmas Day, a pink candle. We love anticipating Christmas through Advent!
The first week of Advent is called the “Hope Candle” symbolizing the anticipation of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings to the world. Another word that reflects the theme of hope is anticipation. It’s a good time to focus on the prophecies in the Bible, particularly those in Isaiah, that foretell the birth of Jesus.
I know. We're in busy mode. It’s party time. Christmas shopping and decorating. What would it look like for you to take time to slow down, contemplate, and anticipate Jesus’ birth? To slow down and give thought to the true hope, Jesus.
You may be in a situation now where you need hope. Remember, hope in God can withstand trials, despair, disappointment, betrayal, and rejection. I pray that you contemplate and consider the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus.
Take some time and focus on these Scriptures this week: Isaiah 11:1, John 3:16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Romans 5:5, Hebrews 11, Micah 5:2, and Jeremiah 29:11. May God refresh you and give you His hope as you reflect on His coming.
Why am I so prone to place my hope in people, things, or a football team that disappoints? Because I do. And you do too. We can place our hope in our finances, homes, professions, children, health, stability, accomplishments, friendships, marriage, football teams, and more. But the biblical sense of hope is so different. Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking. We have a trustworthy God who will never leave us, forsake us, or fail us. If God claims He will do something, He will.
This is the first week of Advent. Many light a purple candle each week for Advent. We have an Advent candle my dad made that’s a disk cut from a log. It has four holes for the purple candles and one hole in the middle for Christmas Day, a pink candle. We love anticipating Christmas through Advent!
The first week of Advent is called the “Hope Candle” symbolizing the anticipation of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings to the world. Another word that reflects the theme of hope is anticipation. It’s a good time to focus on the prophecies in the Bible, particularly those in Isaiah, that foretell the birth of Jesus.
I know. We're in busy mode. It’s party time. Christmas shopping and decorating. What would it look like for you to take time to slow down, contemplate, and anticipate Jesus’ birth? To slow down and give thought to the true hope, Jesus.
You may be in a situation now where you need hope. Remember, hope in God can withstand trials, despair, disappointment, betrayal, and rejection. I pray that you contemplate and consider the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus.
Take some time and focus on these Scriptures this week: Isaiah 11:1, John 3:16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Romans 5:5, Hebrews 11, Micah 5:2, and Jeremiah 29:11. May God refresh you and give you His hope as you reflect on His coming.
Take a listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27rMrWqJsNA
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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