Yesterday our churches celebrated the 1st Sunday of Advent - HOPE.  

Isaiah 11:1-3 - A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a BRANCH will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit or counsel and of might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. 

This branch (Jesus) will have an intimate relationship with the Lord and will desire to do His will. He will be greater than David. With righteousness he will judge the world. Jesus will be the obedient servant and will experience the judgement for our sins. He will bring peace too hard to imagine. He will bring joy to the world and heaven and nature will sing. Nature will be at peace, shalom. 

God will transform the whole world by the shoot of the stump of Jesse. All our hopes and fears are met in this shoot. HE is our hope and glory.

Take this hope with you wherever you go!

                                                                                                                 Natalie VanAndel