Expectant Hope

The last advent candle was lit last night while we celebrated our third Christmas together. This is our first year to spend the month preparing for Christmas through advent in our home. We used this weekly devotional. At first, it seemed odd for just the two of us to celebrate advent (before we even have children old enough to teach the meaning of advent), but the month of preparation filled our hearts with an expectant hope of a coming king. The hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to a broken world.

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.