As we begin this Advent season, we look inward and prepare our hearts for the arrival of Christ. The first Sunday of Advent, we are reminded of hope. We indeed have a great hope in our Savior, which must begin with his birth. 

We have hope because Christ was born to all of us. With no fanfare, no parade, no pomp, Jesus was born to a refugee family in a manger outside of an inn in Bethlehem. We have hope because even from his birth, Jesus was available and approachable to all.

We celebrate hope as we begin Advent, because just as we prepare for the birth of Christ, we also prepare for His eventual return. We hold fast to the hope of our eternal life with Him when this earthly life fades away. We place our hope in his saving grace and His Holy Spirit to guide us through the trials and tribulation of life.

As we begin the Christmas season, reflect on hope. While we may hope to receive certain gifts on Christmas morning, let us look deeper to the hope we place in Christ. Do we truly let His Spirit guide us? Do we live as humble servants, like Jesus? Do we put our hope in God?

As we prepare our hearts, may we be filled with the hope of eternal life and heaven on earth.