Today is the first Sunday of Advent.   We are invited to hope.  Danny Gokey sang in the beautiful song, ‘Hope in Front Of Me’ the following lyrics:

There’s hope in front of me / There’s a light, I still see it / There’s a hand still holding me
Even when I don’t believe it / I might be down but I’m not dead / There’s better days still up ahead / Even after all I’ve seen / There’s hope in front of me

Think of those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Cleopas and his companion were two utterly hopeless people that day, their Master having been to death on a cross under the order of their rulers. Then, what happens? The living Christ walks alongside them, opens the Scriptures to them and explains the ghastly cross. Then their hearts burn within them. They were begotten again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The discovery of hope after there’d been despair is life-transforming.

Christians are people of hope, and that is the secret of their lives. We see believers doing the most menial and wearying work, taking the basin of water, washing and drying disciples’ feet. They are strengthened to do so because they see the day approaching. They know that there’s soon going to be a complete transformation of themselves and those whom they love. That body sown in weakness is going to be raised in might. A glory is going to be shown not to them, it’s going to be revealed in them.

I need you to hope my friend. Have hope. Don’t give up.

Watch the video and claim hope.