The ‘big’ theme of our Advent services this year is light. (Of course, primarily it is anticipating the birth of Jesus our Christ and Saviour.) This first Sunday of Advent we are lighting the candle of Hope. With it lighting our way, will tie together a couple biblical ideas: Jesus is the “true light that gives light to everyone” and “we have this hope as an anchor for our souls.” Jesus’s light produces a hope that is soul-deep, firm and secure.
sermon: Shining Jesus’s Hope in a Dark World (John 1:4-5) with Rev. David Donaldson
Shining Jesus’ Hope in a Dark World
First Sunday of Advent – The Candle of Hope
The first Sunday of Advent invites us to reflect on hope—a hope that shines like light in the darkness. This year, our Advent theme is light, and few images are as simple yet profound as a light piercing the night. Think of a campfire on a cold evening, a candle in a window, or a flashlight when the power goes out. Light draws us in. It offers warmth, safety, and community.
When we turn on a porch light, we’re inviting others in. When we gather around a campfire, we share its glow. That’s why candles matter during Advent—they are both literal and metaphorical light. A single candle can illuminate a dark room, and in that light, we see each other and share its warmth.
John’s Gospel describes Jesus this way:
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:4–5, 9)
This light is not just brightness—it carries hope. And this hope is not a shallow wish or fleeting optimism. It is soul-deep, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 says:
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hope in Jesus is an anchor, not a passing desire. It steadies us in life’s storms.
Anna: A Portrait of Hope
In Luke 2, we meet Anna, a prophetess who spent decades in the temple, worshiping, fasting, and praying. She waited for the Messiah—Israel’s promised Redeemer. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Anna recognized Him immediately. She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to redemption.
Anna’s story teaches us two things about hope:
- Hope is active.
Anna didn’t wait passively. She prayed, worshiped, and served in God’s presence. Her hope was rooted in relationship with Him. - Fulfilled hope leads to sharing.
When Anna saw Jesus, she couldn’t keep the news to herself. She told everyone who was longing for redemption. True hope overflows—it becomes a testimony.
Where Is Your Anchor?
What do you place your hope in—yourself, your career, your finances, human progress? These anchors shift and fail. But hope in Christ is firm and secure. He is the light that shines in darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Where is your hope anchored?
- Are you actively living in hope—praying, worshiping, serving?
- How can you share the hope of Christ with others this Advent?
Advent begins with hope. Let’s shine Jesus’ hope in a dark world.