Hope, No Greater Joy Endearing...Celebrating Hope on the first week of Advent

Is there anything better to celebrate than hope?!!

So it begins...the celebration of the Believer's hope!

The first two lines of this poem was written yesterday morning before church

the next 2 stanzas this morning before hosting a tea-for-two-friends party, then

I worked at it again before a dentist appointment,

finally finishing it while supper is cooking!

...and what is supper you ask?

Hamburger Stew!

This poem was

inspired by Ephesians 2 and 

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, 

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness

 and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, 

eager to do what is good.

Hope Has a Name

Once we were aliens and strangers without hope and without God

But we who once were so far off have been brought near by the blood

Of Christ Jesus. Raised to newness, we who were dead in our sins

Unaware until he saved us, of the hope where life begins

Praise the precious name of Jesus. He, who died in our place

So that He might show us the exceeding riches of God’s grace

For His grace that brings salvation has appeared to one and all

Bringing to mankind redemption from the curse after The Fall

Gone, the veil of separation; He himself is our peace

There is now no condemnation to all who trust and believe

In the Promise that releases us from judgement’s damning rod

Through the precious blood of Jesus, He gives us access to God

Hope, what sacred consolation where the dread of death would reign

Where instead of peace and pardon a barrier would remain

Hope, no greater joy endearing the sweet nearing we applaud

While we wait for the appearing of the glory of our God

© Janet Martin