“May the God of hope fill you with all 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).
People in chronic illness, recovering from surgery, or facing life-threatening diagnoses. Those who are newly married, or others in new jobs or in search of work. Families in need of marital healing or the discovery of a higher power. Babies who are beginning their time on this earth and still others who are facing their final days. A few who have experienced bodily harm due to an accident and persons who are having mental anguish about a situation beyond their control. Our country and the world situation. Those serving in the armed services or in the mission field. Family, friends, neighbors. Some who are known well; others of whom I am barely aware. Myself. Who are these persons? They would be a synopsis of many of the names on my prayer list. I hope that they are lives that might be changed or help to better the lives of others. Through faith, I have an expectation that only a loving God can make that happen if it is within His will. So I share those concerns, names and situations of which He already knows, as I spend time alone with Him in prayer.
I was told that when I was young, my parents would allow me to look at the Wish Book to assist in the composing of my Santa list. The only problem with that was that I would turn down the corners of almost every page in the toy section. My hope was that I might get all of those things, but my expectation was that Santa would bring some of them for sure. When we are young, the excitement around the Christmas season seems to begin earlier and earlier each year. Long before the Halloween costumes have ever cleared the store shelves, Christmas decorations have already begun to surface. As we mature, our thoughts often turn to meaningful times with family and friends. Upon entering the Advent season, we are filled with a renewed anticipation of the Messiah in the form of the baby Jesus of whom these words were spoken: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot–yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root (Isaiah 11:1).
How can we face hope and expectation in a world that sometimes seems hopeless but expects more and more? The season of Advent gives hope that our lives have meaning beyond our current situation. For if we allow our search for hope to be defined by our present circumstance, then we will always be disappointed. We should pause to remember that in the midst of changing life circumstances in the Old Testament, the rise and fall of hope also existed. New prophecy for a coming Messiah was often provided as faith began to decline. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). All of the prophecies pertaining to the first coming of Christ were precisely fulfilled. Since God never changes, we have hope for a future leading us to the expectation that the remaining prophecies will also transpire. Advent represents the spiritual journey of individuals as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again not as a babe in a manger but as a King who will reign with righteousness and power.
Again this year, children will awake on Christmas morning expecting to find gifts under the tree. There may be some disappointment and maybe some surprises as the presents are opened, but the anticipation and excitement will be there nonetheless. “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). During Advent, we long for the renewal of our lives with the hope and expectation that God will be faithful to see our circumstances, to hear our cries, and to know our longings for a better world. Meanwhile it would be best if we could once again become like little children in anticipation of what is to come, knowing the best gift we will ever receive doesn’t have to appear on a list – for it has already been given.
REFLECTION: Do you look forward to the four weeks of Advent as much as you do Christmas Day? In what ways might you and your family bring meaning to the celebration of Advent season? How might it be different to show reverence for the Baby Jesus than it will someday be to bow before the King of Kings?
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