HOPE

The Season of Advent is joyful expectation for Christ’s arrival. It is hopeful anticipation for Christ’s coming. That is why, the first candle of the Advent Wreath symbolizes hope. And our Christian hope is sure and confident hope, not empty hope because our God is a faithful God and He is in control and always in charge. He  restores wholeness. All things are possible to Him and nothing can separate us from His love. Advent comes from the Latin word, Adventus, which means coming and arrival. It is a time to be ready and prepared to receive Christ not in the future but now. The day of salvation is now. The time of redemption is now. The only way is to live today and every day in God’s love and service. There are three comings of Jesus in the world. The first coming is the historical coming when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He came in time and history. He is the culmination of time and history. He is the climax of human history. He is the fulfillment of the longings and yearnings of the people of Israel. He is the fulfillment of all God’s rewards and promises. The second is His glorious coming because He will come again at the end of time. This is the future glory because He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the source of all and the goal of all creation. The future glory reveals that our story will have a happy ending because God has the ultimate and last word. The third coming is happening now because Christ can come to us at any moment. He wants to come into our hearts and be the Lord of every aspect of our lives. Advent season is a time of hope because Jesus restores our original integrity and He brings healing into  the world and in our lives. He calls us to be vigilant at all times and pray so that we have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent. To be vigilant is to be attentive and watchful and to live with integrity. Prayer enables us to be open to God’s blessings, guidance and do His will. The coming of Jesus signals the end of suffering and ushers the time of redemption for believers. It will be tragic and catastrophic for unbelievers. We ask the grace from the Holy Spirit that we open ourselves to Christ’s saving intervention and be agents of His love, healing and compassion to others.