Strolling into the sanctuary, weighed down with many hearts concerns, I met the Savior.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good new to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heavens, things into which angels long to look. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:8-13
Advent, formed from a Latin word meaning "coming" or "arrived" is about the coming of Christ. It 's the celebration of the first advent of Jesus and the anxious awaiting of His second.
Advent
My Savior started to speak to His child as the Advent service progressed. The most overwhelming joy for the Advent season, lifted my heavy heart. I believe my age and life experiences are allowing me to enter this Advent season in a deeper depth than years before. The first teaching was over patience and expectations. Where is our Hope?
Quotes from our church Advent Guide
"Expectations are powerful. We long to trust possessions, people and ideas with our hope - hope of something greater than what we currently have. Relationships, careers, and entertainment willingly receive our expectations. To the degree that we think each will deliver, anticipation grows inside of us. The voice of childhood may change tone through the years, but the same gut response comes with every disappointment: But you promised....
There is no more powerful expectation than patience in the promises of God, for He has provided the Lamb, and the Lamb is the coming King."
There is where my Savior meet me....His promises and my lack of patience in His promises. There in the sanctuary I sang out..
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
- Consider what you place expectations on and how that affects you when they are not met. Are you patience or irritable?
- If we place our hopes in finite things, which never fully meet our expectations, it seems that are meant for something greater. What things have you trusted in for the joy of your heart instead of Jesus. Who is fully able to meet your every need?
- God's faithfulness is proven as each of His promises comes true. Where are you tempted to forget or distrust His faithfulness to you in Jesus?
We sang Joy To The World today in church and it was more about the sermon in Nehemiah than that the Christmas season has begun. Our pastor talked about hope a lot today. Thank you for sharing your worship today :) Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAdvent is rich with spiritual food that we can feast on as we anticipate the work of God in our lives in preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The sermon series for Advent at our church this year will include 4 different messages preached by 4 different pastors (two from my church - one being my husband! - and two from our sister church across town) that is called the "Characters of Christmas". This morning one of the pastors preached on Mary & Joseph and what God did in their lives and what God does in our lives in the times that we are "waiting" on our faith to fruition into the fullness of God's purposes in our lives. It was very powerful and encouraging. I love the spiritual richness and depth of this season. It offers SO MUCH MORE than the commercialism that abounds all around us. God bless you, and thanks for sharing your heart with us here.
ReplyDeleteMy lesson in patience has been ongoing for some time and I'd like to think I am better at it than before, but it is likely more situational than before.
ReplyDeleteMy son was home, for the first time this semester, for four days. What a joy! He is doing so well it was easier to wave goodbye.
I admit that I am looking forward to Advent as well. I really am looking forward to looking at all of those passages.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you.
Our Savior. What a hopeful, joyful thought!
ReplyDeleteWhat hope we have in our Precious Savior...Getting ready to celebrate His birth is such a joy...
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post today.....
This was a wonderful step into the season of Advent. I happen to love that hymn you sang. For years (and years and years) I didn't like it. Our former church tended to sing it like a dirge. Then, a man from my current church sang it. Oh, how different it was! It was rich and full and frankly, it was full of hope and not despair. Now, I love it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you post more advent posts.
Anticipation...
ReplyDeleteGetting ready...
Build-up excitment...
Waiting...
HOPE!
Wonderful thoughts as we enter the Advent season. Lovely post, Janette. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was touched this morning in church, as we lite the candle of hope . . . realizing again that our only hope is Christ. And that is all we need.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
Thank you for this! I love "There is no more powerful expectation than patience in the promises of God" It puts my hopes and expectations of earthly things into perspective
ReplyDeleteJanette, what a lovely quote from your church's advent guide. Our nation doesn't really celebrate Advent... but I do remember as a child that we did celebrate it in school (the school was a convent Catholic school run by Belgian nuns). It was so special.
ReplyDeleteI do want to celebrate Advent as a countdown and preparation to Christmas.
This post touched my heart. I want to let go of my expectations that do not point to God. Expectations that we have of life can be so self-centered! This is a beautiful reminder.
Blessings to you, Janette, as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Much love
Lidia
Good post, Janette... good post.
ReplyDelete"I believe my age and life experiences are allowing me to enter this Advent season in a deeper depth than years before."
I love what you said here... ;) blessings ~ tanna
It's painful to be stripped of those things that then reveal where we're really putting our trust, what we're really hoping in, and yet, what a blessing it is to have the LORD refine us and make us more like Christ. Praising God with you, Janette, for the fiery trials that God lovingly gives us so we see every more clearly that Jesus is our only HOPE! Love you!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great message to begin the Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you over Thanksgiving, and all of you together at your table, I know it was special.
What I especially love with this post, is the reminder that no matter what our hearts may be feeling, hurt, pain, or joy... God can take all of it and change it with a fresh HOPE and a change of perspective even when the situations haven't yet changed.
Praying for December to be more meaningful for all of us, maybe than ever before, as we focus on what we really have because of Jesus!
xo
i know nothing can satisfy but Jesus, i know, i know, but how often do i run to the things that don't, can't!!
ReplyDeletemay i see with new eyes this season!!
love to you Janette!
hope and peace are my two favorite words.
ReplyDeletei even wanted to name one of our girls, "hope."
your advent reflection is so moving and has
stirred my heart. i HOPE that the Father's
great love will be seen by multitudes this
Christmas and that many will flock to glorify
His Son.
blessings sweet friend!
Four gals discussing Advent and HOPE in my circle. I'm thinking that I have got to get my Advent wreath together before I miss out on any more of this good news.
ReplyDeleteWatching and hoping expectantly and faithfully.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Janette.
Love and blessings.
The questions at the end of this post are great ones to ponder as we enter Advent season. Christ is our hope, but so often, even as Christians, we forget and place our hope in something or someone else. I'm so thankful that He's patient with me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
This was beautiful, Janette. It was like a wonderful church service. Yes, on Sunday we also sang that beautiful song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Oh, such comfort...
ReplyDeleteAnd the message was all about HOPE. Hope based on what God has done in the past, and on what He will surely do in the future. Hope is what gives us joy in spite of discouragement, disappointment, and despair.
Oh, what a Savior we have!
GOD BLESS!
I lift my cup of Hope to Him each day, as I try to remember to empty it before of impatience, doubt, and fear! As always I leave, inspired, challenged, and motivated.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
nice post! thanks for sharing...loves soraya
ReplyDeleteYes, Advent is the season of anticipation and hope. If we keep our eyes and hearts on Him, the season will indeed be holy and blessed, regardless of our situations and circumstances. He will never disappoint us, or fail us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and realization. I thank God for teaching us to hope in HIM!! Blessings and love to you this Advent season!
ReplyDelete