Hope: expressed as anticipation, expectation, preparation, and transformation.
Gladness: expressed as illumination, celebration, appreciation, and jubilation.
Promise: expressed in constancy, guidance, providence, and comfort.
Love: expressed in perseverance, faith, forgiveness, and truth.
Then it seemed natural to look at what had been told about the purpose of this greatest of gifts from God. I explored the wonder of Advent and the reasons for it. This exploration has deepened my amazement and understanding of Gods greatest of gifts; I hope it will for you too.
Om författaren
I grew up in New Jersey. I attended college in upstate New York, receiving a baccalaureate in environmental studies. Afterwards, I joined the US Navy, serving fifteen years. Currently I live in to Ohio. I never conceived of becoming an author, but when I started this study I wrote things down to consolidate my thoughts. I shared some of my essays with others. They said they liked what I’d written—it made them think. This encouraged me to compile my essays into a single volume.
My journey of curiosity and study began over thirty years ago. While it might not be the usual route taken to faith, it prepared me to study and question. So when my curiosity and interest turned to Advent, it was a continuation on the path that God seems to have placed me on.
I looked at the meaning of the word “advent” and thought of what it is expressed. I found there were four words that epitomized the characteristics of Advent: hope, gladness, promise, and love. It struck me that two were our proper responses to two of God’s characteristics. The essays in each of these seasons are explorations of how each is expressed in our lives.