Advent Hope
As we enter the Advent season we are again reminded of the words that drive Advent, HOPE, PEACE, JOY, LOVE. It’s a pretty great list and one that I think you cannot exhaust in searching for meaning. In this season, it can admittedly become rote in thinking of the words. Hard sometimes to even find meaning or inspiration in these words. We see them plastered everywhere on hundreds of signs and in dozens of locations. Maybe we even use them too casually, too flippantly for them to have much meaning or life in them. Or maybe we have squeezed them so hard that they are exhausted or we are.
What I have found as I have gotten older is that I need to slow down and not abandon the power of each word. Sometimes I need to dwell, deeply and fully, in the word. Allow it to speak to me.
Take Hope for example. This word has been used a lot by me in many different ways. When I was younger hope was pursued in the friendships I sought, the sports I played, the grades I worked for. As I aged Hope became the career I wanted to pursue, which in reality it pursued me. It was the life I wanted to live – complete with spouse, children, animals, vacations, hobbies, etc., etc. During this season of Christmas, Hope has been the gifts I wanted to receive, how my time was spent, the people I hoped to connect with.
All of these in and of themselves are not necessarily bad things. They are just very me centered. So, I slowed down, waiting for the word to speak to me. One of the places that Hope speaks most vibrantly to me is in the Bible. I know you are totally surprised by that – but it is also totally true. The word HOPE has so much more meaning, than we can hope, see what I did there, to understand in one setting.
We might know Hope as a feeling of excitement, anticipation, even whimsy. Psychologically, having hope or hopefulness is crucial in order for one to have a healthy life. Biblically, HOPE is a really important concept. There are many words that the Bible uses for HOPE. In the Old Testament the Hebrew words most often used for HOPE convey a sense of waiting or expectation, even having a sense of tension surrounding it. Sounds about right but here is the catch, this HOPE is not about waiting for something to happen, HOPE is based on a person. HOPE is waiting/anticipating/holding onto God and God’s action(s). Often looking backwards to see and remember the goodness and faithfulness of God, to anticipate a future. This is hope that has holy motivation behind it. A perfect example of this is Psalm 39:7 And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
The Greek words used for HOPE in the New Testament are used and understood much like the Old Testament words. Except now HOPE is found in Jesus. The empty tomb is means for HOPE, Jesus’ resurrection brings incredible HOPE. And now we find the manger, a baby as being HOPE for the world.
How do you find HOPE today? Share that with someone.
God, you give us HOPE everyday. In ways we understand and in ways we can’t even comprehend. Help us remember, find and anticipate this HOPE everyday. AMEN!