2. Listening to Jesus How have you been listening?
What has He been saying?
What have you been doing?

3. The Gift of Hope
Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same county shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

4. The Gift of Hope
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you;

5. The Gift of Hope
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

6. The Gift of Hope Entering Advent
Isaiah 9:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

7. The Gift of Hope Hope Past
Isaiah 7:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[a]

8. The Gift of Hope
Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

9. The Gift of Hope
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

10. The Gift of Hope
Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

11. The Gift of Hope
Hope Present
Luke 1:26-38 New King James Version (NKJV)
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

12. The Gift of Hope
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[a]

13. The Gift of Hope
29 But when she saw him,[b] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 

14. The Gift of Hope
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 

15. The Gift of Hope
33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

16. The Gift of Hope
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 

17. The Gift of Hope
36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

18. The Gift of Hope
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

19. The Gift of Hope
Hebrews 6:19 New King James Version (NKJV)
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

20. The Gift of Hope Hope Future
Romans 8:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV)
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

21. The Gift of Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

22. Next Week
The Gift of Love