When you think about hope, it is not very hard to think of many different sources for hope. We can find hope in our work or the work of others to make the world a better place. We can discover hope in the inspirational words of leaders, teachers, and preachers.
But there is something unique about the hope that comes from Christ. In Christ we find that God does not stay far away from humanity, but becomes a part of us. This hope assures us that in the midst of our lives and world, God will be near to us. In Advent we wait in this hope and discover anew how God has been, is, and will be near to us.
When you are ready, click on “The Word of God” below for today's scripture and then continue to follow the remaining steps of the devotion.
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight — indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:1
Sometimes when I attend church on Sunday morning, I wonder where God is. I mean, here are all these people who showed up to worship God, yet I sometimes don’t think God is any more present there than anywhere else. But then I get those Sunday mornings where things are just different. It usually has little to do with the sermon, the music, or even the people around me. But something is different, because I leave knowing I have had an experience of God.
I do not know if you have ever experienced that feeling, but I think it has something to do with my own willingness to discover God. May we each be open to the sudden coming of God.
Andrew Kellner
God, help me to be open to your movement in the world and in my life. May I be seeking you and, when you appear, feel your presence in my life. Amen.
Look for hope today.
Look for hope on the faces of the people you meet.
Look for hope in the midst of pain.
Give hope to those you meet and be Christ in the world.