Advent Day 1... Entering Into the Season

Today is the first day of Advent, the season of waiting for the Christ Child to be born.  The season invites us to enter in, to prepare and be expectant for His coming.... and maybe discover something new as we wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

About 700 years prior to Jesus' birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
    and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
    but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.  ISAIAH 11:1-4

There were a lot of years of waiting.  Today, the season of Advent provides a sense of waiting in the anticipation of Christ's birth.  The custom of using an Advent wreath creates a focus during each of the four weeks of Advent - Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  

The candle lit on the first week serves as a reminder of HOPE.  From the time mankind's disobedience caused brokenness in creation, the Lord promised a Savior. He did not leave us to be helpless and hopeless, but set a plan for us to be redeemed and restored.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  MATTHEW 5:3

He is coming that we may have life, and have it to the full!  Restored to relationship with our creator.  This gives us hope!