The traditional symbolism of the four Advent candles provides the frame for this Advent sermon series. Each of the candles is named for one element in the Christmas story, and represents one Christian virtue: 1) Prophets candle = Hope, 2) Bethlehem candle = Love, 3) Shepherds candle = Joy, and 4) Angels candle = Peace. The unbelieving world values these same virtues, but interprets them quite differently. These sermons will first examine each of these qualities from the world’s point of view as depicted in the book of Ecclesiastes, and then compare that perspective to the Gospel understanding of the same attribute.

The traditional symbolism of the four Advent candles provides the frame for this Advent sermon series. Each of the candles is named for one element in the Christmas story, and represents one Christian virtue: 1) Prophets candle = Hope, 2) Bethlehem candle = Love, 3) Shepherds candle = Joy, and 4) Angels candle = Peace. The unbelieving world values these same virtues, but interprets them quite differently. These sermons will first examine each of these qualities from the world’s point of view as depicted in the book of Ecclesiastes, and then compare that perspective to the Gospel understanding of the same attribute.

The traditional symbolism of the four Advent candles provides the frame for this Advent sermon series. Each of the candles is named for one element in the Christmas story, and represents one Christian virtue: 1) Prophets candle = Hope, 2) Bethlehem candle = Love, 3) Shepherds candle = Joy, and 4) Angels candle = Peace. The unbelieving world values these same virtues, but interprets them quite differently. These sermons will first examine each of these qualities from the world’s point of view as depicted in the book of Ecclesiastes, and then compare that perspective to the Gospel understanding of the same attribute.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

What is our hope? It’s that…beyond this beautiful but imperiled blue planet, there is one who can do for it what it could never do for itself. He’s from far, far beyond this world, but he’s been watching. And now in modest disguise he has surreptitiously drawn near, entered, and become a part of the world in order to rescue and transform it. Jesus is our hope. He hasn’t just said, “I’ll pay the rent.” He’s said, “I’ll rebuild this place and heal you in the process. In this series we talk about our hope. What is the hope we have to share as followers of Jesus and a community on mission at UPC? If we can see behind the mask, we will say in astonishment “My hero!” And eagerly invite others to join his cause.

What is our hope? It’s that…beyond this beautiful but imperiled blue planet, there is one who can do for it what it could never do for itself. He’s from far, far beyond this world, but he’s been watching. And now in modest disguise he has surreptitiously drawn near, entered, and become a part of the world in order to rescue and transform it. Jesus is our hope. He hasn’t just said, “I’ll pay the rent.” He’s said, “I’ll rebuild this place and heal you in the process. In this series we talk about our hope. What is the hope we have to share as followers of Jesus and a community on mission at UPC? If we can see behind the mask, we will say in astonishment “My hero!” And eagerly invite others to join his cause.

What is our hope? It’s that…beyond this beautiful but imperiled blue planet, there is one who can do for it what it could never do for itself. He’s from far, far beyond this world, but he’s been watching. And now in modest disguise he has surreptitiously drawn near, entered, and become a part of the world in order to rescue and transform it. Jesus is our hope. He hasn’t just said, “I’ll pay the rent.” He’s said, “I’ll rebuild this place and heal you in the process. In this series we talk about our hope. What is the hope we have to share as followers of Jesus and a community on mission at UPC? If we can see behind the mask, we will say in astonishment “My hero!” And eagerly invite others to join his cause.

What is our hope? It’s that…beyond this beautiful but imperiled blue planet, there is one who can do for it what it could never do for itself. He’s from far, far beyond this world, but he’s been watching. And now in modest disguise he has surreptitiously drawn near, entered, and become a part of the world in order to rescue and transform it. Jesus is our hope. He hasn’t just said, “I’ll pay the rent.” He’s said, “I’ll rebuild this place and heal you in the process. In this series we talk about our hope. What is the hope we have to share as followers of Jesus and a community on mission at UPC? If we can see behind the mask, we will say in astonishment “My hero!” And eagerly invite others to join his cause.