Candles

Sunday

Dec 18

4th Sunday of Advent

Hope in Christ Transforms Us

Advent 2022

Hope makes a difference.

When we know the gracious work of Christ, trust his promises, and believe in him, we can have a true, abiding hope. We know that he holds our future in this life and for all eternity. We celebrate his birth, remembering that he came to save and to give us hope.

Hope makes a difference. It is able to change our outlook and our lives. It lifts our attention from present struggles and gives us a vision of the greater things that lie before us. Grounded in God’s word, faith’s new perspective enables us to see the present differently, trust our God, and joyfully anticipate what he will bring about for our future.

So hope can change things, starting with us. It transforms our life.

Hope’s vision of the future does not take us out of the present, or even today’s troubles, but it empowers us to face them in a different way.

One way is with patience. St. Paul writes:

“…we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience”

(Romans 8:23–25)

The apostle does not minimize the struggles of life. We may “groan inwardly,” feeling the struggles of this world. But hope looks beyond and, since we trust our Lord, we can wait patiently and in confidence.

We share this patience, and this hope, with other Christians. Speaking of Christian unity, Paul included hope as something we share:

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.”

(Ephesians 4:4)

Hope transforms us and, through us, it blesses others. It reflects from our lives. Hope is infectious. As we express our hope, others can see the reason for hope and be blessed.

1 Corinthians chapter 13 exalts love as a great, enduring virtue. But it is not alone. It says “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Hope abides. It sticks with us and sustains us. Because our hope is in Jesus.

#CUIAdvent

Concordia Christmas Concerts at Segerstrom: The Thrill of Hope

Bringing tidings of hopefulness and joy, Concordia celebrates Christmas at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. A highlight of the Christmas season, top ensembles from the Music Department perform festive music with carols old and new.

Learn More

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