What does it mean that we wait in hope? In many ways, our world seems to speak of hope as something that is, well, hopeless. So many things to do, not enough time. So many people to help, not enough hands. So much peace to be had, but so much fighting. Many of these situations do, and can, leave us rather empty and hopeless. But we as followers of Jesus know a different type of hope: The hope that is deep within, the hope that is not fleeting, the hope that comes from knowing a loving and gracious God. The prophet Isaiah speaks of such hope that turns the world around. The hope that seeks to not only change situations, but reverse them. Can we imagine such a hope that turns ashes into garland? Or mourning into gladness? Or a faint spirit into praise?
It can be said that Advent begins in darkness…but a spark of light breaks open that darkness to bring us the gift of hope. That spark of light is full of anticipation and wonder and waiting, and lives deep within us. This time of hope is God’s calling to us to remember who we are and to whom we belong. Hope does not equal happiness or cheerfulness, but rather it equals contentment and the knowledge that we are not alone, especially in our feelings of hopelessness and fear. God has sent us this gift so that we might have great knowledge that hope resides not only in a light, but within each one of us and with God’s help, we can be the ones who live out these great reversals. For when the light of hope is lit, it is lit again in each one of us so that all the world can see the great potential and example of what it is to live in God’s hope and live it out. So how will the light of hope change you? Change your perspective? Change the way in which you have come to know God? May the light of hope be in each one of you and burn brightly as we journey though Advent together. Amen.
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