Faith is the second candle on the Advent wreath. It follows the promise candle. First the promise then the faith-the belief the promise will be fulfilled. Faith is believing without seeing. Faith, as Phillip Yancey says, "Only make sense in reverse."
This is a great opportunity to read through the Bible's heroes in Hebrew 11- The Hall of Faith.The men and women listed in this summary of the Old Testament were real people with real flaws but all had a strong faith. They each had an against the odds type of faith. The kind of faith Mary demonstrated when the angel told her she "was with child" even though she was a virgin. The kind of faith Joseph had when, in a dream, an angel told him to take Mary home to be his wife. Initially both were afraid, yet both believed.
Faith depends on the elements of steadfastness and courage. Faith is not a wimpy response to a situation. Sometimes people of faith stand alone.
Encourage your kids to be able to articulate what they believe and why. Christmas is the perfect time of year to discuss the foundations of faith.
How do you set the tone for spiritual growth in your family?
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
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