Advent (Hope): John the Baptist

The focus for the first Sunday in Advent is Hope. The hope that the Israelites had came from the promise of the coming Messiah, prefaced by the return of the Prophet Elijah. As revealed in Matthew 3:1-12, Elijah came as John the Baptist, who was given the task of preparing the people for His coming. Christ is coming again, so if we are to be prepared, we must produce the Fruit of the Spirit in our choices.