The theme of hope is everywhere in the Bible. In fact, I might suggest that hope is one of the preeminent themes found from Genesis 3 onward. Although there is death, destruction, loss, loneliness, abandonment, murder and many other terrible events found throughout the pages of Scripture, a continual call to hope in God for the restoration of all things is right there in the mess. When the Assyrians first conquered Israel and then the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem about 150 years later the prophets had begun telling of a coming saviour in whom the people of God could put their hope of rescue in. This Advent we once again begin our journey of preparation for the coming of that Saviour by keeping our eyes on the horizon, knowing that in him all hope is found.