“Hope is one of the Theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”
– C.S. Lewis
Weekly Readings
God of hope, you are the anchor for our soul. You are powerful. You are mighty. You are holy. You are good. Your hope is a constant reminder to us that you are working for our good and your glory. Your hope gives us meaning and purpose in this life as we anticipate the great perfection of the next.
May the hope we have for tomorrow change the way we experience today. Help us to develop a constant anticipation of all that you promise to bring. May we receive your word so that we can extend it to others.
May this Advent season refresh us in the truth. You have come, and you will come again. Let this time be one of reflection and surrender as we escape from the pressures and distractions that invade our time with you.
Amen.
Weekly Reflection
Oh great King what hope you have given us! We were chained to an anchor meant for destruction. Each passing day became a further indictment against us, yet each passing day became a passage to your promise; the great word spoken from the beginning inching its way to completion. Hope dawned when you descended into hell and untethered those links from the great anchor of our iniquity and joined them to your own fetter. Ascending into heaven, your life became for us an immovable weight of hope; each day no longer an indictment, but a testimony of the great Kingdom that is and is to come.
Conversation
When have you had to wait for something to come?
Why is it so hard to wait for the things we want or need?
What is something you are hoping for right now?
What is the difference between a wish and hope?
Who do you know that needs prayer for hope?
Community
This week, take some time to send a message of hope to one of our impact partners around the country or around the world. This can be a great family activity to talk about the place where the missionary is serving, what it means to be a missionary, etc.
For a list of our impact partners, follow the button below. Then reach out to Drake for help connecting with the partner.
Craft • Advent Wreath
MATERIALS
- 3 Purple, 1 Pink, and 1 White Candle
- 5 Candle Holders/stands
- Greenery (for base of candles)
- Ribbon or other decoration (optional)
- Lighter
Feel free to use things you have at home or follow the links to purchase candles and holders you can use each year!
DIRECTIONS
The Advent Wreath is a visible reminder of the coming light of Christ in your home. Each week, you light one more candle until Christmas Eve, when you light the Christ Candle. Most families light it each night when the family is at home together and then extinguish the candles before bed.
The candles are to be lit in this order: November 30 – light the first purple candle; December 7 add the second purple candle; December 14 – add the pink candle; December 21 – add the third purple candle; December 24 – add the white candle in the center.
The Advent Wreath sits on a table or bookshelf, not hung up on a door like a traditional wreath. You will actually be lighting the candles, so be careful where you place it! Just place the purple and pink candles in the four points of a circle, like the directions on a compass. The white candle goes in the middle of the circle. Use the greenery, like evergreen branches or garland, to wrap around the candle circle. Feel free to get as decorative and elaborate as you like with your Advent Wreath. You can make this a yearly tradition for your family!