“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” – Mk:13:35-37

Advent is the season of watching and waiting in Hope, Joy, Love, Peace and Purity in anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus. The entire 13th chapter of Mark tells us how to live while we wait for Christ’s return and to stimulate right living for God in a world where He is simply ignored and redefined. The question is how do we watch and wait in a world and age that is experiencing a massive amount of uncertain times. The Advent wreath provides a helpful reflection on how to watch and wait as we spiritually contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem the human race. Advent-Watch calls us to fan our flame of Hope in God in defiance of hopelessness in the world.

Hope is one of the five major themes of Advent as mentioned above and vital necessities to all God’s people who are watching and waiting for Jesus’ appearing. There are so many different ways that hope can be shattered in relations to some symptoms of our modern society: Broken bodies, Sickness, Disease, Disaster, Broken Homes, Divorce, Violence, Debt, Death,  Broken lives, Drugs, Alcohol Crime, Bereavement, Desertion, Broken dreams, Ambition, Failure, Defeat, Disappointment. There is a continued fear of increasing terrorist attacks among others. What hope can there possibly be for a better family, church, and world? Where can we find new hope for the present?

The Advent message is a message of Blessed Hope. It is not a dreaming Hope, or a vague aspiration. Advent-Watch calls us to a Hope that is not just simply wanting things to turn out well, whilst remaining uncertain that they actually will. Advent message of Hope is the absolute certainty we have that God is good and that His promises are true. Advent message of Hope is actually personalised in Jesus himself! Jesus Christ is our hope. Advent-Watch invites us to fan the flame of our Hope in a hopeless world. Beloved, Advent-Watch reminds us that we have the spark that we need to light in our hearts to overcome the world hopelessness. The Advent news about the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago and who is Coming back can re-start the burning desire to live a life for Him. Advent-Watch through the flame of Hope invites us to open our heart to him and keep the everlasting flame of Hope burning through prayer, fellowship with others, and witnessing for Jesus.

Prayer: O Lord create in our hearts a burning flame of Hope in Jesus Christ.