The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. […] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. –Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Though we are in week 2 of the traditional advent season, I want to begin by speaking to week one, the week of Hope.

A baby was born in a place where animals were kept because there was no room in the nearby inns. The town of Bethlehem was filled with those traveling from abroad to be gathered and counted in that year’s census according to current Roman law.

Joseph and Mary possibly took the equivalent transport of today’s hooptie, as Dave Ramsey calls a car that is good enough to get you to where you are going though a few years old.

We don’t know their dialogue, but we know their focus, to get to Bethlehem despite Mary being near childbearing stage.

It took courage, it took tenacity, it took hope in what was to come during the time of the census as well as what was to come through the birth of the Christ child.

Mary must have been very uncomfortable and tired as well as Joseph. But they were obedient Jewish citizens in a Roman government, at the time the power God was using to bring all things together for the Messiah to enter the world.

But there was hope in what was to come.

As I thought of hope during the first week of Advent, I see how many hopes have come true for me because God has listened to my heart. And there are times hopes have gone unanswered and prolonged. But God is the God of eternal Hope no matter what is surrounding us and longs for us to always keep hope alive no matter the circumstance.

My ultimate hope is to one day see Christ face to face and thank Him for the gift of his perfect life for my imperfect one that I might be with God forever.

During this time of hope, it’s a great time to pray more for our world, the church and our loved ones that we may let the True Light of Hope shine out into any dark areas that need illumination, for God can bring life into every corner when we allow Him.

Amazing!