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Advent Sermons || Hope in the Waiting || Micah 5:1-5

Hope in the Waiting | SPB Church Blog

Hope in the Waiting

Advent is a season of anticipation, a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Jesus. This past Sunday, Rev Andrew Irwin unpacked Micah 5:1-5, a passage filled with promises of hope, peace, and restoration. It reminds us of how God works through the humble and unexpected to accomplish His purposes. In the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem, we see a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who stands in the strength of the Lord and brings peace that transforms lives.

In his sermon, Andrew drew comparisons between the longing of God’s people in Micah’s day and our own lives today. For centuries, they waited for God to send a saviour, enduring times of uncertainty and hardship. Similarly, we often find ourselves in seasons of waiting, longing for peace, justice, and restoration in a world that feels broken. Yet, just as God’s promise was fulfilled in Jesus, we can trust in His faithfulness as we wait for His return.

Advent reminds us that waiting isn’t passive—it’s active. Andrew challenged us to live out this hope by reflecting Christ’s peace to the world around us. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to share the good news of His coming and embody His peace in our everyday lives. It’s an encouraging and timely reminder of the role we have to play in bringing the message of Christmas to those who need it most.

We would love for you to listen to the full sermon in this week’s podcast episode. Whether you’re reflecting on how to live out the peace of Christ or simply need a word of encouragement, we hope it will inspire and challenge you this Advent season. The podcast is embedded below for easy access—just press play!

We also warmly invite you to join us next Sunday morning at 10:30 for worship as we continue to journey through Advent together. Then, on Sunday evening at 19:00, we’ll gather for our Carols by Candlelight service, a special time to sing, reflect, and celebrate the Christmas story. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Christmas Day worship at 10:30 as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour together.

We can’t wait to welcome you to St Paul’s & St Barnabas, whether in person or online. Let’s come together to reflect on the hope we have in Jesus and share that hope with our city.

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