Yesterday we lit the first candle on the Advent Wreath. (Thanks to the Holt family for leading us in the candle-lighting!) It was the candle of Hope. We are reminded on the first Sunday of Advent that we wait in hope for the coming of our Savior.

Hope is a word that comes up a lot in our vocabulary. I hope I make it through that green light! I hope the movie isn't sold out. I hope I find a new i-Pod under the Christmas tree!

The hope that we speak of at Advent, though is a different kind of hope. It is the hope of expectation. It is the kind of hope that changes our lives. The hope of Advent is not a frivolous hope or a sentimental hope. We know that the baby Jesus will arrive on Christmas and our creches will be complete. The hope of Advent is the hope that Christ came to us as a baby and Christ comes to us today and Christ will come again in glory. We look forward to the coming of Christ. The hope of Advent can inspire us to live differently because we believe that Christ is with us even now and Christ could return at anytime.

What are you hopeful for this Advent season? Has the expectant hope of Advent changed your life? Are you hopeful for Christ's return?