Embracing Hope This Advent Season

I will never forget when I was asked what I was doing in preparation for Advent. I did not have an answer. Embarrassed, I went home and looked up the word. It simply means arrival, event, or beginning. Advent in the world of Christendom is preparing for the arrival of the Messiah first in Bethlehem and His future return in the end times.

Our church did not make a practice of celebrating Advent, so I never really understood it. It is not connected to a doctrine or a specific theology.  However, the four tenants of Advent are directly related to a rich spiritual walk. It helps us focus on the hope salvation offers, the peace He brings, the joy that is complete in Him, and the love we share because of Jesus. 

Week One – If you are lighting an Advent candle, this week you will light what is considered the prophecy candle. This purple candle represents the prophecies of Jesus’ birth and His second coming, prayer and hope.

“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 

Hope, the first of the four tenants, propels us to wake up each morning. We have expectations for what is in store for us. We believe that there are better days ahead. 

We have hope not in just a wish list but a confident expectation that God’s promises will be fulfilled.

For nearly 700 years the Children of Israel waited, with hope, for the arrival of the Messiah. Even though the prophecies foretold of a peasant birth and violent death, many did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

His birth was announced to shepherds, then to wise men from the east, not to the rabbis or priests, not to the emperor or his advisors. Jesus came to give hope to those who seek Him. 

He was not born in a lovely birthing suite or a warm hospital. He was born in a barn, probably a cave where animals took shelter and were fed. I think part of why His entry was so humble is so we humans would not put our hope in the fascination of wealth or royalty but in the finished work of Jesus.

That work was finished when He died on the cross and rose again. He took the place for us, so we did not have to suffer the eternal consequences of our sin, separation from God. He came so that we can have life, life more abundant. He left the Holy Spirit for us and in us so we can live a peaceful and quiet life, have hope, and look forward to the home in heaven He has gone to prepare for us. (John 14)

Sometimes we become weary and lose hope. Our focus is on all the things that are not right in this world or the failures of our past. We will crash every time if we look anywhere but up for our hope. When that happens to me, the Lord graciously reminds me of this verse: 

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary; 

they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

One of the beautiful things about hope is that there is always enough to share. The gift of hope should be something we carry with us at all times and be prepared to offer to anyone in need. I Peter 3:15 tells us to Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you.

That hope is Jesus. The gift is eternal life. And it is free.

My prayer for you as we begin this advent season is this:

“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

Here is a song to help you reflect on the hope we have because Jesus came over 2000 years ago to bring us new life.

The Hope of Christmas – Mathew West

Have you put your hope in the right place? 

What reminds you to look to Jesus for your hope?

How can you change your perspective to become more hopeful?

I would love to hear how you prepare for Advent.

For further reading on hope read: Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37  

My friend, Amber Thiessen, curated this great list of Advent reading. “Advent Reading Guide: Devotionals and Books to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas”