Therefore the Lord himself 
will give you a sign: 
The virgin will conceive 
and give birth to a son, 
and will call him Immanuel. 
(Isaiah 7:14)

Prophecy Candle: Hope

Do you have hope this Christmas season? In our crazy world, often hope is the first to go. And not a hope that works like a wish, but the deep abiding desire that somehow in someway, God will set all things right.

The first candle—which is purple—symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” or the “Prophet’s Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of the Messiah. They waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival to save, restore, and redeem the people of Israel. The candle represents the expectation we have in anticipation of Jesus’ coming at Christmas, as well as his promised return. The purple color represents repentance and fasting as we anticipate the Lord’s coming and it also symbolizes the royalty, kingship, and reign of Jesus.

Let’s light the first candle of the Advent wreath and as we do so, let’s remember that our hope is in Jesus, the one promised by God.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? 
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, 
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, 
but I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:81

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for 
and assurance about what we do not see. 
Hebrews 11:1

For in this hope we were saved. 
Now hope that is seen is not hope. 
For who hopes for what he sees? 
But if we hope for what we do not see, 
we wait for it with patience.
Hebrews 8:24-25

A Christmas song to bring the Hope of Jesus into the season: because Hope has a Name.

Grace and Peace