On this eve of the first Sunday of Advent, we light a candle recalling the hope we have in Jesus the Christ. The prophets of Israel all spoke of his coming, of how a savior would be born, in the line of David the king. They spoke of how he would bring wisdom to people and bless all humankind. The Christmas feast celebrates the reality of hope which took human form in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. On Good Friday the Christ of our hope chose to die for us, only to rise again from death and to return to the presence of the Living Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end of human time our hope will draw us definitively into his presence, into the full reign of God. Our purpose in lighting this first Advent candle is to remind ourselves to be watchful and prepared and to use our time well in anticipation of his final coming to us.
Loving God, thank you for the hope which you give us in Jesus the Lord.
Help us prepare our bodies and hearts for his final coming.
Bless our worship. Help us live holy, wise and righteous lives.
We ask this in the name of the Holy One born in Bethlehem. Amen.
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