HOPE

The four Advent candles are a beautiful Christmas tradition. Each one has a special meaning reminding us to prepare our hearts in the weeks leading up to Christ's birth. When we focus on God and keep our minds on Him this holiday season, we are able to rest in the perfect peace of the world.

Let's use the five candles of Advent to guide and prepare our hearts for the season in celebration of Jesus’ birth. Return each week for a brief devotional time with a word, song, scripture writing and prayer being mindful of what is happening in the world today.

p.s. We show below using a printable to guide scripture writing/prayer, but you don't have to be fancy. Alternatively you could scribe the passage into your daily planner or index card and say your prayers in a way comfortable to you.

The Prophets’ Candle - Hope

The first Advent candle is the "Candle of Hope." It represents the hope and anticipation that we have about the coming Messiah. We relish in the long-awaited promise of our Savior.

Charles Spurgeon described hope this way -- "Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity."

The world can look hopeless today and really, throughout history. But we look to the Messiah, who has already won the battle. Because of His victory, we stand in blessed hope and confident expectation.

Let the candle of hope remind you that God hears your prayers. Trust that God is at work in your life, and fulfills His promises in His perfect timing.

Verse 1 --

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Scripture Writing and Prayer

Directions:

Find the image that says "Hope" in the downloaded document (*see note below)
Write the words to Romans 15:13 in the star.
Fill in the letters of "HOPE" with God's promises below.
Throughout the week, continue to jot down headlines or stories of hopelessness in the empty spaces and include personal hopes you have this Christmas season.
Pray while coloring or doodling the spaces and find hope in His promises.

God promises

to never leave you nor forsake you
to give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak
that His grace is sufficient for you
that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him
that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength

*About the downloads

You only have to download the file once. This download includes the all of the images needed for each week.
You can also find these images in the November Olive Branch newsletter so grab a copy at church to have them pre-printed for you!
The coloring/doodling is a tool to help you focus as you pray. Does it help you"

Click Here to Download