Welcome to the second week of Advent. This week's Advent theme is Faith. Faith is believing in things that cannot be seen but still trusting. For Christians, faith is trusting in God's love for us even when we are unable to see His hands at work in our lives. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as belief, trust in, and loyalty to God.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3
"Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill her promises to her!" Luke 1:45
"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1-2
The second Advent candle is often referred to as the Bethlehem Candle. Bethlehem is the city in which the infant Jesus made his entrance into the world. The King of Kings was born into humble circumstances because there weren't any guest rooms available. His mother was a young virgin girl whose faith in God's promise was strong despite the dangers having this child created for her. She could have lost her life. His father was a carpenter.
Bethlehem is a town that is approximately six miles south of Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem because of a census. While there, it became time for Mary to give birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus's birth in Bethlehem fulfills the prophecy foretold in Micah 5:2: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Prayer:
Father God, Thank You for working in our lives. Help us to trust in You even when we can't see Your hands at work. Help us to believe in the depth of Your love for us. Remind us of the wonderful plans of hope You have for us. We know you long for what is best for us. Help us to never forget that. Please help us to make room in our hearts for Your precious, beloved, Son: Jesus. When we spend time in Your presence, when we are still, when we listen to Your still voice with open hearts, when we praise You through the storms, when we worship You, when we spend time reading Your word strengthen our faith in You. All honor and praise be Yours! Amen!
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