A Gift of Hope

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV).

 

This Sunday begins a special time in many Christian churches. It is the Season of Advent. These four Sunday’s leading to Christmas Day we not only look back to the reality of Jesus' birth, God's great gift of salvation, but we also look ahead with joy to the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The four Sundays are accompanied by the lighting of four candles each representing a specific part of the Christmas event:

 

• The first week focuses on “God's people -The Candle of Hope.” We’ll talk more about that this week, but today remember that it is hope that is like a light shining in a dark place.

• The second week focuses on “The old testament prophets - The Candle of Peace.” Peace is certainly in short supply both in our world and country. Yet, this is precisely why Jesus came.

• The third week focuses on “John the Baptist - The Candle of Love.” There is so much to learn from both the faith and doubt of this great prophet and forerunner of the Christ. 

• The fourth week focuses on “Mary the mother of Jesus - The Candle of Joy.” We will have so much to learn from this young Jewish woman chosen by God to bring the Son of God and Savior into the world.

 

Today we begin our look into “hope” with a reading from the Apostle Paul to Titus. In this short letter to the pastor on the island of Crete, the apostle Paul emphasizes how we are to live between Christ's first and second comings. Paul touches on many of the practical matters of the Christian life. He instructs this young church “to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives" (Titus 3:14). However, of more interest to us this week is

The encouragement to stay on course in our Christian living, reminding us of a great gift we have been given through Christ's coming. It is the gift of hope. Because of this precious gift we are able to press on as God's people, "eager to do what is good" in spite of the many obstacles and difficulties we face in our day-to-day lives. So, today begin your season of rejoicing. The Savior has come… and nothing is the same. We now have an unassailable hope in life!