Advent Week One: The Arrival of Hope

Author: Rev. Daniel Johnson
December 03, 2025

Hello Everyone,

This past Sunday we entered the beautiful rhythm of Advent—a season that slows us down in a month that tries to speed us up. While December rushes at us with noise and busyness, Advent invites us to breathe and remember that the Church has always been the people who stand in the darkness and say, “He is coming.”

Hope Begins in the Dark

We looked at Hebrews 10:19–25 and talked about how Advent doesn’t begin with everything feeling bright and cheerful. It begins where Israel was—tired, waiting, and wondering if God was still moving. After centuries of silence, they believed in the God of their past but struggled to expect Him in their future.
And that’s where hope arrives. God steps into silence to restore expectation.

When Our Hope Drifts

We all know what it’s like to lean our hope on the wrong things—relationships, jobs, seasons, or outcomes. But misplaced hope always leaks. Advent calls us to move our hope back to the only One strong enough to hold it: Jesus.
Hope isn’t a feeling or an idea. Hope is a Person—and His name is Jesus.

The Dawn Is Already Rising

We closed by asking: Where is your hope leaning today?
Our emotions often show us—anxiety, disappointment, exhaustion, or numbness can reveal where hope has drifted. But Advent reminds us the night isn’t final, silence isn’t forever, and Jesus always comes close to those sitting in darkness.

Hope has arrived.

Join Us This Sunday at 9 am or 11:15 am — Advent Week Two: PEACE
I invite you to join us again this coming Sunday and bring someone with you. We will light the second candle of Advent and lean into the theme of Peace. If Week One reminded us that Christ is our Hope, Week Two will show us the deep, steady Peace He brings—right in the middle of our real lives.

Come expectant.
Come hopeful.
Come ready for peace to meet you.
Grace and peace to you, church family! 

-Pastor Daniel

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