The first week of Advent is focused on: HOPE.

This quote from Tolkien always epitomizes hope, to me;

”There is a place called ‘heaven’ where the good here unfinished is completed; and where the stories unwritten, and the hopes unfulfilled, are continued. We may laugh together yet.” • J.R.R. Tolkien

Hope is a tricky thing, it evades or springs upon you seemingly at its will. To have hope, you must tend your thoughts and what you feed your mind. But living in a fallen world means, to do that, you must go to war with your own mind.

As the months grow colder and darker, it's not uncommon for depression and sadness to overshadow the season. I was talking to a friend recently about how this time of year makes me softer, more prone to weeping, and amplifies all that is sad and joyful. My thoughts went to the suffering of my Saviour, and His coming to save us. Born to die for our sins, Christ came as a helpless baby, born in a barn. He grew and lived a sinless life on this earth. He lived a real life, with discomfort, disappointment, temptation, and horrifying pain. This season of Advent begins with hope, but Hope is only sought when it is dark and we need to be rescued by it. So, if you are sad today, don't brush it aside. Take the sadness, fear, grief, disappointment, and hopelessness to the Saviour, who knows it well. Then hope for what is coming, because He has conquered darkness.

1 Peter 5:10 ”And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Hebrews 10:23 ”Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”