First Week in Advent.... Hope

This year I have set myself a challenge for Advent... to read the scriptures for each day listed in the Northumbria Community order for morning prayer and to seek within them a glimpse of the 'attribute' for the week and to post them on my own blog. The first week in Advent is 'hope'.

Rather than repeat my reflections here, I have chosen simply to repeat some texts that have struck me, and to offer them for you own consideration. What hints, glimpses of hope do you see?

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit herself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 (emended)

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49: 15 - 16

What does it mean for us to read scripture through the lens of hope? What does it mean for us to view our world through the same lens?

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy... be there in our living and give us, we pray, your peace in our hearts, Lord, through all of our days. Amen