Advent One Candle: The Light of God's Hope

Advent One, 2017

(together in Christ we light the Hope candle)

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of Light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

First Candle - The Candle of Hope
from our service today

Donna: Today is the First Sunday of Advent, in which we recall the hope we have in Jesus our Lord, our Saviour, and our Christ.

God told Abraham that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed. This is the promise of hope; this is the promise of our redemption and of life with God. This is the promise of God’s Love. Our Scriptures told Israel to expect a Saviour, just as they tell us to expect His return. Israel was told to be faithful in worship and diligent in God’s service, just as Jesus commanded us to be. The Old Testament spoke of the coming of Christ, just as the New Testament speaks of His coming again. 

We too believe in God's promise and so we live in hope of our Christ’s return. 

Donna: Hope is a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Let us pray:

All: Our Father in heaven, Your love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Help us as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Renew us and focus us on your command to Love as You love, and on your commission to take your Light of Hope into the darkness of this world. We ask this in the Beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.

Isaiah 42:16 "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into Light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."

Please feel free share this blog with your friends, by email, Facebook, Twitter and other social media. It is an easy way to share God's mission this Advent season.

If you are interested in other missional opportunities please visit  ACrossMission  - we would love to share this ministry with you.

be blessed

Follow us on Facebook: ACrossMisson

Check out our Website: ACrossMission

Daily Readings: Lectionary Year B