Theme: Hope
Candle Color: Purple or Blue
Significance: This candle represents the hope we have in Christ. We reflect on the prophecies of a Savior who will bring light to the darkness.
Candle Lighting Directions: Light the first candle and reflect on God’s promises. Consider how resting in God’s love can strengthen your hope.
The Advent season begins with hope. Hope sustains us through times of waiting, uncertainty, and longing. For Black and BIPOC communities, hope has always been a source of strength, rooted in faith and the belief that God’s promises are true. This week, we reflect on how resting in God’s hope can renew our spirits and carry us through challenging seasons.
Scripture Study
Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”This passage reminds us that hope is not passive; it is active and renewing. Waiting on the Lord brings strength and endurance.
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”Paul’s prayer encourages us to trust in God, allowing hope to overflow in our lives through the work of the Spirit.
Guided Prayer
“God of Hope, in this season of waiting, help us to place our trust in You. Strengthen us when we feel weary and fill our hearts with the light of Your promises. Teach us to rest in Your presence, knowing that You are faithful. Amen.”
Rest Reflection
Hope and rest are deeply connected. Resting in hope means choosing to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see the outcome. For those who carry the weight of injustice and the burdens of a busy world, resting in hope is a declaration of faith—a moment to pause and believe that brighter days are ahead.
Practice: Take 15 minutes this week to sit in silence. Light a candle and meditate on the word hope. Breathe deeply and release your worries into God’s care, trusting that He holds your future.
Journal Prompt
Reflect on a time in your life when you felt overwhelmed yet found hope in God.
Where did that hope come from?
How can you lean into hope this week, especially in moments of uncertainty?
Contemplative Art Prompt
Create an art piece inspired by hope. Use colors like gold, yellow, or soft blues to symbolize light breaking through the darkness. Your art can be abstract or representational—perhaps a sunrise, a candle’s glow, or something personal that signifies hope to you.
Hymn Suggestions
Traditional Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel—A classic Advent hymn that invites us to reflect on the hope of Christ’s coming.
African American Hymn: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less—A powerful reminder that our hope is anchored in God’s steadfast love.
Building Family Traditions
Hope is something we can nurture and share as a family. Here’s a simple activity to foster hope together:
Candle Lighting Ritual: Gather as a family and light the first candle on your Advent wreath. As you light the candle, share one thing each person hopes for during the season. End with a prayer for hope in your family and community.
Hope Jar: Set up a “Hope Jar” for the week. Each day, family members can write down something that gives them hope—a promise from scripture, a kind word, or a small blessing—and place it in the jar. On Sunday, read them aloud together.
Reflection and Invitation
Hope invites us to look forward, even when the present feels heavy. It calls us to trust that God’s promises are unfolding, even in the waiting. This week, let’s make space for hope in our hearts, our homes, and our communities. Rest in the assurance that God is faithful, and let that hope renew your strength.
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