Each week this Advent, we will reflect on a central word of our Christian tradition. This week, we reflect on “Hope”.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 - CEB

John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and cries out for people to prepare for the coming of the Lord through baptism, to be cleansed and made ready to welcome the savior! It is hard for us to imagine it (in part because we consider people who act like John the Baptist in our day insane), but John’s appearance lit up the people of Judea with hope like a Christmas tree covered in lights! Baptism is a turning away from sin and despair (of which there was much under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire), and a turning towards the gracious and merciful promises of our God, a God who makes all things new and who renews our hope when we respond in faith.

Consider the things in your day to day life:
What can you turn away from that is a source of sin and hopelessness?
What can you turn towards that is of God, that causes your hope to overflow and fills you with joy and peace?