Waiting in Hope | Advent Week 1

In this first week of Advent, Pastor Michael Newton invites us into a season marked not just by celebration, but by longing, waiting, and quiet expectation. Drawing from Luke 1, we explore the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth—a faithful couple living through political darkness, cultural turmoil, and deeply personal disappointment.

What does it look like to hold onto hope when nothing seems to change?
When prayers feel unanswered?
When God feels silent?

Through the lens of this ancient story, we’re reminded that God’s silence is never His absence, that delay is not denial, and that hope often grows strongest in the shadows. With honesty, warmth, and pastoral insight, Pastor Michael helps us see that Advent is not just a countdown to Christmas—it’s an invitation to keep following Jesus in the in-between, to keep praying even when our hearts ache, and to keep lighting the candle even when the room still feels dim.

Whether your hope feels vibrant or barely alive, this episode will encourage you to lift it to God again. Because the God who came then is the God who comes now—and He always keeps His Word.

Listen in, and step into Advent with renewed courage, quiet expectation, and the steady light of hope.

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SCRIPTURE: Luke 1v5-13

SPEAKER: Michael Newton