Advent: Hope

ADVENT: HOPE

Dear Jesus,

When you descended to earth through a teenager's womb, you shook the world with hope. Yet most people were unaware. Your identity as God's son had been revealed to Mary and Joseph; a few shepherds were filled in on heaven's secret; some kings from the east discerned what was happening in Bethlehem, but most of its residents and weary travelers were unaware that life was about to be forever changed.

They were unaware that hope had just been born for the generations of people longing for a Messiah. Hope had been born for those who would one day feel the Savior's hands touch their blindness, leprosy, or disease. Hope had been born for the tired souls tormented by demons, the lost, the broken-hearted. Jesus, you came to pour hope into the darkest circumstances and loneliest hours. But most people were unaware.

And you still work in our lives today, offering healing and transformation, peace and redemption, encouragement and new life. You come as the one who can turn our weeping into laughter and wake us with joy after long nights of sorrow. But often we're unaware.

The Wise Men saw what most people did not see. They knew the star in the east announced a new king. We pray this Advent that you will open our eyes to see what others might not. Guide our vision to see you as the ultimate hope for each of our lives and all the nations.

Amen.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

Micah 5:2-3