Today is the first Sunday of Advent and we’re focusing on HOPE.
Advent is the season four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. It begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30th.
Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and its name comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.”
How does Advent relate to us in 2021? If we don’t make an intentional effort, we will miss it! It reminds us to prepare our hearts for celebrating the birth of Jesus.
There’s more to Christmas than trees, gifts, Cyber Monday shopping, and Santa Claus.
Every Christmas, my goal is to have less hustle and bustle and more simple and sacred.
Today we celebrate the light of HOPE.
Some of you today have lost hope. Life has been difficult. Whether it’s finances or health issues, maybe it’s a family member that’s lost their way or maybe you’ve lost someone you love.
Our world is changing so fast, and we are all dealing with a virus trying to steal our joy and hope. We can’t let that happen. Life is too precious!
Scripture reminds us we still have hope:
- So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:24
- I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5
- But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
This Christmas season, will you join me, and let’s celebrate HOPE! Don’t worry if your tree isn’t perfect or that every package doesn’t have a pretty bow. It’s not about perfect packages and cramming in every holiday activity we can during December.
Christmas is about Jesus. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to stop by my blog. I’m also on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Let your beauty shine from the inside out today!
Hallelujah🙌🙌 yes let me tell you about my Jesus, he can do for you what he has done for me hallelujah🙌🙌 💯😘😘
Without Hope life would be impossible to endure. Thank you for your message. God bless you and your family.
Thank you Cindy for this Advent reminder!
Thank you, great reminder! Beautiful song!
Thanks for the reminder, it’s been a very challenging last 5 years and feels like God left the building at times! But, I truly believe HE never, ever leaves us so I’ll wait on his Hope. Happy Holidays
Thank you Cyndi for your Advent message. Everything you write is so inspiring and uplifting.
Thank you for reminding us the reason we celebrate Christmas and how it is better to slow down to enjoy the meaning of the season.
God is our Hope.
What a beautiful thing.
Thank you, I needed this reminder today!
Love, love this song!
HOPE is one of my favorite words! Hebrews 6:19
One of the best things I love about Jesus is the hope he brings to our lives and to the world. Thank you for all the scriptures about hope Cyndi!
Thank you for this meaningful posting. True reason for Christmas season preparing for birth of Christ.
Thank you for this post. I am going through cancer treatments so my immunity is low. I am not able to be as active in the women’s group as I was before, so I enjoy reading posts like this that add to the joy and understanding of the season. I do still connect with my church through sermons and Bible study on line. God bless you and your family.
Paulette,
I have been where you are now. Please continue to pray and try to stay positive. It is tough going through treatment, especially during the holidays, but there is hope. You sound like a strong lady who is doing what is necessary to get healthy. May God bless you.
Paulette. I’m so sorry. Praying for you right now.
Thanks so much for this Cyndi. Hugs.
Absolutely the truth, so wonderful!! Thank you for sharing!
I am living that video. We lost our 19 year old son two years ago. Everyday is a struggle but I keep going for my little girl. Hope seems far away. The holidays are so very hard.
Julie, I am so very sorry for your loss. The pain you must endure is unimaginable 😢 Praying for Gods peace & comfort to surround you, uplift you, and sustain you until you see your son again. With Love in Christ 😘
Thank you Lisa
Julie…. So sorry for your lose. So hard. The holidays have to be hard. I hope you found strength in these verses of Hope. Will pray for you right now.
Julie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I’m lifting you and your family in prayer right now.
~ Your sister in Christ 🙏🏻
Thank you for this, I have really struggled with having hope, this is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing, what beautiful words to start the day. Many blessings to you and yours!
Thank you for your Grace and words of God for the start of Advent Sunday. God Bless and give us all Hope. Amen
Thank you for this. I just called in hospice for my mom and I’m not sure it has hit me yet. I do know that my hope is in Jesus and without him there is no way I can get through this.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I strive myself to be the encourager but needed this today. God bless you and yours!!
Thank you for the inspiring and encouragement. With all going on today I believe it is easy to loose Hope. We need to remember the God is our hope and we hope in him.
God Bless you and your family this Season and Always,
Debbie
What a blessing it is to know we have Hope in the one who never changes and never leaves us! Jesus ❤️
Thank you for sharing this this morning!
Hope has been my word for this year. Thank you for sharing this. God has opened my eyes in new ways this year bc of HOPE. Have a blessed day!
What a beautiful way to start this Lord’s day. Thanks Cyndi. XO