“Don’t Give Up on Hope”

This is the first Sunday of Advent which marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas.  The rest of our culture might be counting down the days to Christmas in anticipation of gifts or parties or vacation days.  However, for disciples of Jesus Christ advent is a time of preparation and focusing on what the birth of Christ means to us.  This Sunday, we will be lighting the advent candle of hope with a message from Luke chapter 1 reminding us to “Not Give Up on Hope”.  So much has happened in our world over the last few years that it can lead us towards discouragement or hopelessness.  However, as the Lord prepared the world for the arrival of the Savior, He showed everyone that His love and His power is consistent and we have a reason to hope because of Jesus Christ.