Advent Week 1 – Week

Theme of Hope This week we lit the first candle of the Advent wreath. This is the candle of HOPE.

Scripture and Reflection With Christians around the world, we use this light to help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we receive God’s light as we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.”

Hope looks to God and waits on him with a firm expectation that he will fulfill his promises. Allied with hope are the ideas of faith and patience, endurance and trust, of joy and a settled peace that God will do what he says he will do. Isaiah the prophet also said,

Isaiah 40:31, NIV “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.”

Israel had been beaten down by a succession of world powers – Babylon, Persia, the Greeks, and now Rome. In their distress, they call out, “Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” Yet in the cry there is hope, a strong expectation that God will keep his promises to send a Messiah, a Deliverer. The hope is fulfilled on the first Christmas Day when Jesus is born in Bethlehem, God’s Savior sent to planet earth to save us from our sins and deliver us from whatever oppresses us. People live in hope of One who can help them. Jesus is that Person, present today by the Holy Spirit to deliver us from any need. He is the One we hope for.

Bible Project Video: HOPE

Reflection Questions

1. Read Genesis 8:6-12 (note the mention of 40 days of waiting). After the earth suffers long under humanity’s violence, God resolves to wash away corruption while preserving Noah and his family. The rain pours down, and for months Noah sways back and forth in an ark. He needs to yakhal (wait) in the middle of animal waste and landless seas. So what assurance is Noah waiting to receive? And how does the dove deliver that assurance?

2. Read Psalm 130. The psalmist is sure that if God preserved a record of sin, everyone would be washed out—it’s a scary thought. What specific things about God bring the psalmist relief? What does he yakhal (wait) to receive from God?

3. Keep Psalm 130 in mind. What do you think the psalmist would do if he did not wait on God for healing and forgiveness? How do you think despair might lead to violence and corruption? Consider how the process of forgiveness removes corruption while preserving life. How is this similar and different from the flood and Noah’s long wait on the ark?

4. Read Luke 2:22-33 and pay special attention to details about the setting. Then, check out and note the mention of 40 days of waiting (33+7). Why do Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and Simeon go to the temple that day? What is Simeon waiting on God to do for Israel?

5. Let’s examine a few key verses, starting with Luke 3:15-16. Who does John the Baptist say the people have been waiting for? Now, read Luke 3:21-22 and compare the message that accompanied the Spirit (appearing as a dove) with the message of Noah’s dove. What similarities and differences do you notice?

6. How does the arrival of Jesus bring relief and assurance? Take time to discuss this and any other themes, questions, or key takeaways from what you learned together.