Advent: Hope.

---------------

Luke 3

The word of God came to John in the wilderness.

He went into all the country around the Jordan,

preaching a baptism of repentance 

for the forgiveness of sins.

The hope of God through the birth of Christ.

The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

He went into all the country around the Jordan, 

preaching a baptism of repentance 

for the forgiveness of sins.

A voice of one calling in the wilderness..

The hope of God through the birth of Christ.

As it was written in the book of Isaiah, 

the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah.

A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 

"Prepare the way for the Lord!

And make straight paths for him.

For every valley shall be filled in, 

and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight, 

and the rough ways shall be made smooth.

And all people will see God's salvation."

The hope of God through the birth of Christ.

The crooked roads shall be come straight, 

and the rough ways shall be made smooth.

And all people will see God's salvation.

And so today, we light this candle of hope

because we, alongside all of creation, needed the birth of Christ. 

 

The hope of God through the birth of Christ.

The hope of God through the birth of Christ.

--------

This is the week for us to remember our need for God,

To let him speak to us of our sins..

To show us the poverty of our souls.

We can only have hope if we can truly understand

that there is an absence within ourselves that only God can satisfy.  

May we join all of creation in its need for restoration, 

in its need for Jesus, our soon and coming King.  

We anticipate your birth, Lord.

And we wait expectantly for your kingdom, 

as it comes in fullness.