The Candle of Hope Advent Devotional
Advent is a time of anticipation – waiting on the celebration of the first coming of Jesus and anticipating His return. This Christmas Advent devotional will help you experience Christ with you now and Christ to come.
I have always loved the season of advent. I love the anticipation leading up to Christmas day. I love the glow of the candles on the advent wreath. I love the remembrance of the birth of my Savior. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that the season of advent is so much more than looking back on the birth of Chridt and anticipating Christmas. It’s also a season to look forward to and long for the day that Christ comes again to renew the earth.
Advent is best celebrated in relationship with others so I wanted to celebrate and light a virtual advent wreath together with you.
Advent Devotional – Week One
Hope: A feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfillment
The Candle of Hope
As the first candle, the candle of hope, is lit, the twinkling of the flame takes us back. We are drawn back to the days, over two thousand years ago, when the Israelites were hopefully awaiting their Messiah. They knew God was a God who kept His promises. That fact had been proven time and again as the Lord both blessed and disciplined His people, just as He had promised. The Israelites longed for the day their Messiah would come to fulfill the prophecies and redeem the world. That Messiah came, as a baby in a manger, and redeemed all who chose to believe in His salvation.
The flickering light also pulls us forward. We, God’s people, are also awaiting the Messiah. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, promised that He is coming again. Like the Israelites, we are longing for the coming of the Lord. We know that God keeps his promises. Our Savior will return and draw His children to Himself.
“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
18 Comments
Bailey @ Becoming Bailey
December 1, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I never really knew much about Advent and this is my first year doing Advent activities. I am so excited!
Brooklyn Jolley
December 2, 2013 at 12:09 am
Love this post, I'm trying to spend December focusing more on the real reason we celebrate Christmas <3
Elisha Kearns
December 2, 2013 at 1:06 am
I don't have much knowledge about advent so thank you for this post. It sparks my curiosity 🙂
Sarah Mc.
December 2, 2013 at 4:54 am
I've never done anything to celebrate Advent, either! I just learned about it a couple of years ago, and maybe one year I'll plan ahead enough to do something really special and memorable to celebrate.
Susanne
December 2, 2013 at 9:39 am
How nice to see people in other countries celebrate Advent!!! Most people don't even know what it is! Here in Sweden we've always celebrated Advent, and for me it's the best of the Christmasy traditions.
Seana Turner
December 2, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Yep, I love Advent to… Advent means "waiting", and that is exactly what we are doing, right? It is a great season to prepare and get ready for the celebration on the 25th:)
Jenna
December 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm
That is pretty awesome. I had never heard about the season of Advent before. Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving dear! Love the picture of you and your family. The bunny-ears might be the best 😉
Rachel
December 2, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Our church doesn't have any "Advent" traditions, or the candles. I do miss those–I'm not usually a big one for traditions, but the meaning of this one makes it worthwhile!
Evie Seo
December 2, 2013 at 10:03 pm
You have a lovely blog and I am so happy to have discovered it today! 🙂 I really enjoy Advent, too, it's such a special and magical time.. and not just because of the countless Advent Calendars I gobble down each year *wink*. I really enjoyed your beautifully written post and will be stopping by often! Hope we can keep in touch!
Evie @ Evie's Lifestyle and @Bookish
Sarah Alway
December 2, 2013 at 10:12 pm
I am not religious anymore, but I do have wonderful memories of doing advent calendars from when I was a kid. 🙂
Becky Dougherty
December 3, 2013 at 12:02 am
Thank you for sharing advent with us! 🙂 This is a beautiful reminder! It is amazing how God always keeps his promises whether blessings or punishments! He's the only one we can truly count on to do what He says he will!
Jayda
December 3, 2013 at 5:39 am
Love this! Advent is one of my favourite things, and actually looking forward to Christ coming again is fairly new for me, but makes it so much more significant.
Katie
December 3, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I like the idea of a virtual advent candle for those of us not near family right now… How much hope God's people had in the Old Testament for the savior that would come!!
Amy Simcox
December 3, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I love this! Sometimes it's hard being away from family during the holiday season but how great that we can all celebrate together virtually 🙂
Meg Hodson
December 4, 2013 at 7:46 am
Visiting from the Dwelling Tree Hop. Was already a follower of your cute blog. Now also following via Twitter and Facebook.
Take care,
Meg
Happy Kids, Inc
Carla Bruns
December 7, 2013 at 5:17 pm
What a beautiful post. I wish you all the beauty of this season!
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