Over the next weeks, we will take a fresh look at Advent through the lens of hope. We will do a series entitled "A Thrill of Hope." This Sunday we look at a rather sordid story featuring Judah, one of Jacob's 12 sons, and his daughter-in-law Tamar. Both of these deceitful people are found in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-5. 

How can that be? It's because God's grace always gives hope - even to the most improbable and impossible people.