A double focus on the past and future!
The first candle of advent represents prophecy, hope, and expectation. During the Old Testament we read that the people of God had power hungry kings, were led astray by false prophets, and misguided by half-hearted religious leaders. The followers of God looked for the Messiah that true prophets spoke about.
Today, we have power hungry supervisors, owners and leaders. There are corrupt spiritual leaders. Our economy is still struggling and talk of falling over a fiscal cliff is in the news. In the same way, people looked with hope and expectation for the birth of the Jesus, we need to look with hope for a complete restoration of our land.
Psalms 33:20-22
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
21 In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in You.
Light a candle of hope in your home today as we celebrate the first week of Advent.