Our entire community was invited to a candlelight event at our church. Five of the pastors spoke briefly and lit the candles on the Advent wreath. It was exciting to hear the pastors talk about hope, love, joy and peace. One spoke of the Old Testament prophets who had hope in the promise of Messiah. Others expressed the love, joy and peace Christ brings as we follow Him. But I will never forget when the pastor who lit the Christ candle in the center of the wreath spoke on each element of Advent. The words he chose for hope touched my heart. He said, “If our hope lies only in those circumstances that give us happiness, we’ve missed the mark. Our hope does not lie in our circumstances, but in Jesus Christ.”
According to Scripture, our hope will be revealed at Jesus’ return. He will welcome us, and all will make perfect sense to us then. We look forward to that time with great joy, knowing there will at last be peace on earth. But now we cling to His love and point people to the cross for redemption and the hope of a New Day.