How does H_ope_ enter into our perspective of Advent?

I_ncarnation_ – Advent of J_esus_ at Christmas

John Lennox a scientist who is a strong Christian, quoting Steven Hawking, a physicist, who said in an interview, “Belief in God is a fairy story for those who are afraid of the dark.” When John was asked to comment he said, “Atheism is a fairy story for those who are afraid of the light.”

John 1:1-5, 14a. (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…

Psalm 119:130 (ESV) The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

In F_aith_ – Advent of the S_pirit_ to each of us

Isaiah 8:11-12 (NLT) The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them

John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus’ R_eturn_ – Advent of God’s R_estored_ Creation

1 Thess. 5:2-5 (ESV) you…are aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…But you are not in darkness…For you are all children of light, children of the day…

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

John Oswalt: In place of an unfaithful monarch whose shortsighted defensive policies will actually plunge the nation into more desperate straits, there is lifted up the ideal monarch who, though a child Isa. 9:6, will bring an end to all wars and establish an eternal kingdom based upon justice and righteousness…

Revelation 21:22-27 (ESV) And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.