Advent Week #1: HOPE
Prepare: Take a moment to center yourself for communion with God. You may do so by signifying the presence of the Spirit with you, singing a hymn, saying a prayer, or simply sitting in silence before God.
Candle: Light the first purple Candle, the candle of Hope. Read: Luke 1:5-25
Reflection: The journey to Bethlehem begins in the wilderness. Not a literal wilderness, but a personal wilderness. The story of John the Baptist begins with his dad Zechariah, a priest, who was in a personal wilderness. In Luke 1, we find him “advanced in years,” and he had never been chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. This happened only once a year, and as a priest he was only allowed to offer incense once in his lifetime. He had been waiting.
He also had been waiting to father a child. The text says that Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, was not able to conceive. You can imagine the pain they both felt, knowing their lineage was ending. They were in the wilderness.
It’s in this place of barrenness that Zechariah is given hope. The lot was chosen, his name was called, and suddenly Zechariah finds himself in the presence of an angel. Startled and fearful, Zechariah is overwhelmed and even more overwhelmed by the message.
“Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord ... and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit ... to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Jesus).”
The Holy Spirit would fill John. He would be a prophet. And he would grow up and live in the literal wilderness.
As you ponder this story, consider the following reflections:
Recall a time of wilderness in your life. What made that time so challenging? How did that time prepare you for a particular transformation or a new perspective?
Imagine how the prophetic word given to Zechariah gave hope to John when he was growing up. Have you ever received a prophetic word? How do prophetic words give hope?
How did the literal wilderness shape John’s life? What was the evidence that the Spirit’s presence was with John?
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. I ask you to meet me in this time of wilderness. I trust that even in this barren place, you see me and have words of hope for me. Help me hear your voice.
Prayers for the Week:
Monday: Come, Holy Spirit. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may know you better (Ephesians 1:17-18).
Tuesday: Come, Holy Spirit. Show me my sin, how it has impacted my life, and kept me away from you (John 16:8).
Wednesday: Come, Holy Spirit. Lead me into truth and wisdom so that I may know what to do and how to do it (John 14:26).
Thursday: Come, Holy Spirit. Free me from the things that hold me captive (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Friday: Come, Holy Spirit. Transform me so my character is shaped by your fruit (Galatians 5:22-25).
Saturday: Come, Holy Spirit. Use the gifts you’ve given me to serve others (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and to empower me to be your witness (Acts 1:8).
*Adapted from Common Ground Christian Church - Indianapolis, IN.
** Artwork by: Chris Magee