First Sunday of Advent reminds us that hope is our calling even in the darkest times

Despite 2025's global wars and crises, the season of Advent reveals how hope endures through the darkness, drawing on research and real-world examples of transformation.

Wendell Vinson is the co-founder of CityServe International, a church empowerment network that provides basic essentials and disaster relief to communities in need throughout the United States and around the world.

Hope is such a simple word but it holds so much meaning and significance, especially today, on the first Sunday of Advent. While the first candle in the Advent wreath is often referred to as the "hope" candle, it also has another name that adds depth and richness. It is also known as the Prophet’s Candle.