Adore - the Teen Girl's Guide to AdventSample

Hope for the Whole World

Back in the days of Jesus's birth, Rome held control of Israel. The Romans were very cruel to the Jews, and the Jews hated that they were under the rule of the Romans. Because of this, Israel incorrectly believed that the Messiah would come as a mighty warrior who would destroy Rome and be the next King of Israel. They misinterpreted the prophets! For example, when they read passages like Isaiah 25:7-8, they didn't realize that this prophetic passage was talking about the destruction of spiritual death, not Rome!

The Israelites falsely believed that the Messiah would only come to save the Jews, not the entire world. But that was not God's plan. Rome was around 400 years after Jesus was born! Jesus certainly didn't conquer it! Instead, Jesus conquered death by becoming the sacrifice for all humanity. He did this by dying on the cross and then rising to life again three days later! Every person (even Romans!) now has the chance of eternal life and salvation because of Jesus's sacrifice.

That's why we celebrate Advent with the lighting of the first candle. The Prophecy Candle. Because Jesus's birth brought hope to the entire world.