Advent - HOPE

Written by Shelsea Becker

He Has Done It Once - He Will Do It Again!

Tis the season of expectation, of HOPE! A season of wonder and awe. A season when heaven whispers, “He’s coming.” Can you hear it?

At this time of year, we tend to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s first coming—God wrapped in flesh, laid in a manger, Love swaddled in simplicity. But what if we do not just take a backward glance to Bethlehem? Instead, we look forward with a renewed hope toward His second coming.

We rejoice not only in what has happened, but in what will happen. Just as surely as the shepherds found Him the first time, we will see Him the second time. We tend to picture Jesus as the baby in the manger—and rightfully so. But what would change in us if we also pictured Jesus today not as an infant but as the returning King?

Not lying in straw, but standing on the Mount of Olives.

Not wrapped in swaddling cloths, but clothed in majesty and power.

The prophet Zechariah declares:

“On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives…”

— Zechariah 14:4

Let’s celebrate this season with a hope set in confidence that He will do what He says He will do! This is the HOPE we have in Christ our Lord. 

Salvation is the greatest supernatural gift ever given. But with that gift comes another:

the unshakeable confidence of His return.

As we are awaiting with HOPE His magnificent return, be assured He is still alive and working miracles on your behalf. Knowing He is coming again for His Bride ought to make us bold in our Faith in the here and now. What are you hoping that you need Christ to do in your life that only He can do? 

And in this season of confidence and expectation, we hold tightly to this promise of HOPE:

“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

— Romans 15:13

 He has done it once - He will do it again!

• He healed the sick — He still heals.

• He opened blind eyes — He still gives sight.

• He made the lame walk — He still raises people up.

• He cleansed lepers — He still restores identity.

• He cast out demons — He still delivers.

• He calmed storms — He still speaks peace.

• He fed the multitudes — He still provides.

• He forgave sins — He still redeems.

• He raised the dead — He still resurrects.

• He restored the broken — He still rebuilds hearts.

• He taught truth — He still guides us.

• He loved the outcast — He still pursues us.

• He broke strongholds — He still sets people free.

• He gave peace — He still quiets the soul.

• He empowered believers — He still fills us with power.

• He saved — He still saves.

Let’s live like people who truly believe:

He has done it once.

He will do it again.