UnityGirl's Guide to #Advent: The Candle of Hope
The first candle we light in the advent wreath is lit the 4th Sunday before Christmas. We light this candle to remind of the hope that is being born that day in the manger. I love this time of year, as we focus on what this birth really meant to the people of that time. I often imagine (especially while humming "Oh Night Divine") what it would have been like to be there as the 3 kings approached the baby in the manager. How they knew, beyond, words that this baby would change the world, save the world and light the way for all who would follow him. How much hope can we find in the vision of the baby in the manger? We have a unique advantage of knowing how Jesus life progresses, the sacrifices he will make, the miracles he will demonstrate and power he bestowed upon on us. Advent is not just about thinking about the birth of Jesus but also about what it means to kindle the flame of divinity within ourselves, to be born again. As we light the Hope candle the first week of advent we begin to feel what Jesus must have felt, excitement, awe, anticipation of the life to come. This is how we approach each year, we feel these same emotions as we approach another year of dreams and challenges. Charles Fillmore says in the "Revealing Word":
hope (and faith)--Hope is the expectation of good in the future. It is a quality (good as far as it goes) of sense mind because it is subject to time. Faith is the certain knowledge that our good is ours right now. It is of God; it goes beyond time and space.I like this definition of hope, because it is exactly why we celebrate Advent. We are celebrating the idea that we have Good coming, that the birth of this child will change our future for the Good, forever. Take action! Our advent activity for today is to write a hand written Christmas card and give it to a neighbor, meaning someone you live next to. God is Love and Kindness and this activity will put you in alignment with both of those qualities. I heard something on the radio this week that I really liked. Christ-mas means "More Christ", So Merry Christmas brothers and Sisters. And be reminded of the amazing things you can do through faith.Talk about HOPE!
Matthew 21:21 NIV Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
hope (and faith)--Hope is the expectation of good in the future. It is a quality (good as far as it goes) of sense mind because it is subject to time. Faith is the certain knowledge that our good is ours right now. It is of God; it goes beyond time and space.I like this definition of hope, because it is exactly why we celebrate Advent. We are celebrating the idea that we have Good coming, that the birth of this child will change our future for the Good, forever. Take action! Our advent activity for today is to write a hand written Christmas card and give it to a neighbor, meaning someone you live next to. God is Love and Kindness and this activity will put you in alignment with both of those qualities. I heard something on the radio this week that I really liked. Christ-mas means "More Christ", So Merry Christmas brothers and Sisters. And be reminded of the amazing things you can do through faith.Talk about HOPE!
Matthew 21:21 NIV Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way :)Love
UnityGirlIf you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Mother Teresa
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