DAY 3--1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT---A WEARY WORLD REJOICES

 "A thrill of hope,

the weary world rejoices!"

I am revisiting decades of Advent Wreaths which helped to  lead me to prepare my heart for the celebration to come.  The four Sunday's prior to Christmas lessons pointing  to the birth of God's own son in a most unexpected-and yet  long prophesied manner .  A King was wanted--needed----A Messiah.  Man's desire was for this birth to be on a grand unmistakable scale for all to witness and recognize.  And yet--our hope came unexpectedly of very humble origin.  Who could believe this baby born in a meager manger---on a dirt floor---in the dishevel and darkness of a lost world could possibly be the long anticipated Messiah?  But God--did exactly as He had foretold long ago.  Our hope came from the most unexpected place in God's amazing way of using the unexpected.  That first glimmer of light in the vast sea of darkness---of seeing a glimmer for the hope of a future---of rescuing the lost in the midst of chaos and confusion---man's hope for redemption was born to a young virgin in the beautiful nativity story.

How appropriate the first candle of our Advent Wreath is Hope.  The first glimmer of light to illuminate this dark world is a ray of hope.  Without hope---what do we have?  How can we get ourselves out of the bed every morning without hope?    Jesus came that we might have the hope of a beautiful love relationship with the Father.  Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow.  

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6