Scripture Readings:"Mark 1:1-4, Isaiah 9:6-7" HOPE and Wait,  WAIT and Hope The first Advent reading each year is usually about hope. Have you ever stopped to think about HOPE, what it means, what is required?  Hebrews 6:19 calls hope an anchor saying “ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hope is an anchor for our soul. Hope is what keeps us going when things are tough. Hope is the engine that makes us want to persevere. But hope requires waiting.   Hope is the anticipation of a future something. Without waiting there is no hope. We wait for visits from family or friends.   We wait for test results from the doctor. we wait for the birth of a new grandchild.   And we hope. For fun times, good outcomes, a beautiful baby. We have hope in our waiting. But waiting is required . Wait a minute. Wait a month. Or even years or lifetimes. We don’t like to wait, whether it’s in traffic or the waiting room, or in line at the store....

For I know how many are your offenses and how great are your sins. ( Amos 5:12 ) How dreadful.  God is fully aware of all our offenses.  He knows how many and when and what they are.  He also knows how great they are.  We do not know the extent of our sins.  We don't know enough t understand what is offensive and sinful but God does. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)   Thank God he is gracious and merciful.  Despite knowing all our offenses and the greatness of our sins, it is his good pleasure to give us the kingdom.  What will we do today in appreciation for that?  It is a love that demands a response.  Do SOMETHING to say thank you to the Father. It is by our actions that we can reflect our true appreciation for his grace and mercy.  We sin and continue to sin.  Oftentimes we even know when we are doing it.  God knows this and even expects it.  ...