“May the God of hope fill you with 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
Brothers and Sisters
As responsible citizens, we took part in the just-concluded 17th Sabah General Election by casting our votes. Certainly, the euphoria and excitement of the election still linger in our minds. Coinciding with the First Sunday of Advent, a new state government is on the verge of being established, bringing with it a promise of renewed hope for all Sabahans. What direction the new government will take us remains to be seen in the coming years. Let us pray and hope for the best.
For Christians, we possess a certain hope for the future because our God is Emmanuel (cf Mt 1:23). He is among us. The lit Advent candles in our churches represent his presence, hope, peace, joy, and love that we want to share with those around us. In this way, we can experience a blessed, meaningful, and fruitful Advent, which will undoubtedly allow us to celebrate Jesus’ glorious day with joy in our hearts at Christmas.
The season of Advent serves as an opportunity for a profound prayerful reflection on God’s assurances of His unwavering presence, instilling hope in our lives even in the face of challenges we may encounter.
The term Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” During this sacred season of anticipation, we express our gratitude for the humble birth of Christ in Bethlehem, as well as for His birth within our hearts. He also comes to us daily through His Word, in the Sacraments, and through one another. During this time of grace, we are urged to undergo a renewal of hope that is rooted in faith, and we are also called to repentance from sin. Through genuine repentance, Christians are essentially proclaiming to the world that our God embodies love and mercy (cf Heb 2:17). He provides renewed hope and the chance to begin anew, enabling us to live righteously in God’s presence.
Read full story in Catholic Sabah Vol 68 No 23 dated Dec 7 2025.
