| From Christianity.com The first candle of Advent is HOPE, also called the prophecy candle. Isaiah 9:6-7: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (NLT) Just as this promise and prophecy were fulfilled, we equally hope for the second coming of Jesus. The somber purple color on the candle represents repentance and fasting as we anticipate the Lord’s coming. Purple doubles as a color for royalty throughout the Bible, symbolizing God’s kingship and reign. (christianity.com) This hope should not be confused with wishful thinking. In the Bible, hope is an assurance, a trust placed in a trustworthy God. Since God has never failed us in the past, He has a proven track record that He will not fail us in the future. So we look forward to the next coming of Jesus with great expectation with the understanding that hope does not disappoint! (Rom 5:5). |
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