(Today begins the season of Advent: This week we’ll focus on HOPE)

Waiting in hope for Jesus to come.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that the summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
Luke 21:30-31

When the trees sprout leaves, you know summer is not far away.  And when you see these signs, you know that Jesus will come soon.

What signs are these?  Why, the signs are abundant!  Christmas trees appear, Christmas music resounds, Nativity scenes pop up, and people madly rush to get ready for Christmas.  The celebrations of Christ’s first coming are abundant!  Children wait in hope for that magical day of Christmas.  And surely as it will soon be December 25th, Christmas will come.

Even as we begin to look toward Christmas on this first Sunday of Advent, even so we look in hope to Christ’s second coming.  Though no one knows the day nor the hour, the signs are abundant.  There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines and disasters, people’s love begins to grow cold,  and the Good News of Jesus is preached throughout the world.

And in the middle of these and other tumultuous signs, believers have hope.  For our hope springs from the One who came to be born, to die, to rise again, to save us.  Our hope is in the Savior of the world who came as an infant and will come back as a mighty King.

As we light the first candle of Advent, our sure Hope is Jesus Christ our Lord.  He is the true Gift to everyone who would receive Him.  And as His people, we watch in expectation and wide eyed wonder for His second coming, even as we prepare to celebrate His first coming among us.

Dear Lord Jesus, my hope is in You alone.  Thank you for coming to save me.  Grant me faith and strength as I await Your coming in glory.  And prepare my heart to receive you again this Advent-tide. Amen.

Text and Picture Copyright Steve Nickodemus