The Gifts of Advent: "Hope" (Isaiah 11:1-10)

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the time that leads up to Christmas. The word, advent, comes from the Latin word for “coming.” Advent is the season when we celebrate the three ways that Jesus comes to us: when he was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, when he comes into our hearts daily, and when he promises to come in glory at the end of time.

Our sermon series this year will focus on the gifts that Christ’s advent brings. For many of us, the Christmas season can bring back bad memories of a painful experience, the loss of a loved one, and the letdown of unfulfilled dreams. And so today, we will focus on the gift of hope that Jesus offers. My prayer is that each of us will experience the hope of Jesus Christ today!