Hope, the future tense emotion
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. —Luke 21:33
We traditionally light the Advent candle of hope for a reason. It’s a must. The practice of hope is a must because on any given day at any given moment we can lose hope.
I did my homework on the history and the practice of Advent candle lighting. Truth time. It’s questionable to use the word ‘traditionally’ because the traditions of lighting an Advent candle each Sunday during this time of the year varies, sometimes greatly. Different colored candles are used. Different words associated with the candles are all over the place.
But even in our collective differences, what is clear is the intentionality of bringing light to darkness. To me, hope begins this whole process because hope is the future tense emotion. All else follows hope.
In our church tradition, we light hope first—literally and figuratively. The candles of peace, joy and love continue the greater and wider glow—one following the other.
The center candle is the Christ candle. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve because Christ is center of Advent. Christ is the center of our lives. His words will never disappear. Lights may fade or flicker. Candles may extinguish. But Christ? Christ is forever. And I put all my hope in this.
Do the same.
PRAYER: Jesus, we put all our hope in you. Amen.
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