Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Context of Hope

This is the first week of Advent, and on Sunday we lit the first candle to signify hope. One thing that has stuck with me is the idea that the word "hope" has a joyful feel to it, and at the same time hope is most truly apparent when the circumstances don't seem particularly joyful. Hope does not ignore the present reality, just refuses to believe that the present reality is the end of the story.

I love the image of the first candle representing hope. It stands alone, the other candles still just shadows of what is yet to come. And the one small flame is only a spark, not a raging fire. But that little flame is enough.

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