The season of advent is the Christian tradition of preparation and waiting. “Advent”  means “coming or arrival.” We are waiting for Christ to return to earth to make all things new: to heal the sick, to mend the broken hearted, and to set the captives free. This Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday of Advent and the theme for the week is hope.

I don’t know about you, but for me 2020 has been a hard year to hold on to this Living Hope. For a lot of us, 2020 has probably held more pain and uncertainty than peace and joy. And if that is that case then I am here to tell you, you are not alone in that.

Because Christ came, because he suffered, because he lives in us now by his Spirit, he is always crossing the chasm to us. In those experiences in which our memory taught us to expect judgement and abandonment, he offers his presence. 

My hope for all of us that as we enter this season of Advent that we remember the faithfulness of a God that made himself human and died on the cross for you and for me. 

Today, in tears or trouble or exhaustion, your present suffering can be the place where you experience Christ’s faithful endurance of suffering. Even your hopelessness can be a prompt to trust the endless well of hope Christ has on your behalf. Your present pain can marry Christ’s past faithfulness.

Let us pray.

Watchful at all times,
let us pray for strength to stand with confidence
before our Maker and Redeemer.
That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy,
let us pray to the Lord: 
That God may establish among the nations
his sceptre of righteousness,
let us pray to the Lord: 
That we may seek Christ in the scriptures
and recognize him in the breaking of the bread,
let us pray to the Lord: 
That God may bind up the brokenhearted,
restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen,
let us pray to the Lord: 
That the light of God’s coming may dawn
on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death,
let us pray to the Lord:
That, with all the saints in light,
we may shine forth as lights for the world,
let us pray to the Lord: 
Let us commend the world, which Christ will judge,
to the mercy and protection of God.

What are the experiences you’ve had of Christ’s faithfulness in your life in the past?
How and when have you felt Christ’s presence in the past day? Past month? Past year?

Read “This Too Shall Last” by KJ Ramsey with us. Want to start the series from the beginning? Start here and check out our hope for this series within our Calvary community, and learn more about where you can get your copy of the book and follow along.