Hope springs eternal....

The season of Advent starts this coming Sunday, the beginning of the church year. I have decided to do something a little different and so for the next 4 weeks, I will be reflecting about a different verse in a well-known Advent hymn.

Each Sunday in Advent, a candle in the advent wreath is lit in our homes and during our worship services. The lighting of the candle is usually accompanied by readings and/or singing. Here is the first verse of "A Candle is Burning", with words by Sandra Dean and sung to the familiar tune of "Away in a Manger".

"A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,

A candle of HOPE in November's dark night

While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,

Our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh"

Or as Desmond Tutu said, "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

As the days in the northern hemisphere grow darker with the shortest day of the year occurring on December 21 this year, we are reminded that the light will come again. Not only will the light come again but that it will come on its own. Indeed we believe in that hope so fervently that we are confident not only that the light will come again, but that it will be accompanied by the warmth and the harvests.

In the lyrics above by Dean we are urged to put HOPE in our hearts to prepare for the coming of Jesus. This hope is even more important now than ever before, as we hope beyond all reasonable doubt that the coming of the kingdom of God as proclaimed by Jesus during his ministry, will become a reality before we destroy this planet and all life upon it.

Hope however isn't all sweetness and light, nor is it a case of hope being all that is needed. We need to put our hope into action, to be prepared to be the voice, the hands and feet of Jesus as we work to make this kingdom a reality.

So as Advent begins and we start our preparations to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we will do well to remember that HOPE requires something from us.

Where do you give that HOPE to others?

Canada Helps invites you bring HOPE to others with a gift to your favourite charity on December 02. 'Giving Tuesday' follows the two of the biggest shopping days of the year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday and marks the opening day of the giving season. For more information on 'Giving Tuesday' and other ways you can get involved, visit their website! www.canadahelps.org/givingtuesday

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