Advent Hope

Advent is about to wind up this Saturday night as Christmas is almost upon us. One of my favourite themes of Advent is hope. Hope says that even when life isn’t everything I wished was, that’s okay. Perhaps you’ve had your share of disappointments, and maybe your Christmas isn’t shaping up the way you thought it would. We’ve certainly had our share of frustrations and disappointments. I (Dave) need to take one more history or theology course for my degree program but my seminary isn’t offering one in either department next semester so I can’t do it. Our family visit to the dentist last week turned up three cavities (but I won’t say who got them). The flu has been travelling through our extended family for the last week and even right into our home. I’m sure my wife and children could add to the list and that your family has its list too. But advent is the season of hope and anticipation with the knowledge that Christ enters our world to right what is wrong, to restore what’s been lost, to heal what’s been broken and to establish God’s abiding presence in ways we’ve only glimpsed until now. Hope keeps us looking forward and not backward, anticipating rather than dreading the future. But advent is also preparation knowing that I myself am part of the wrong that needs to be righted (wrighted?) I confess that I’m sometimes my own worst enemy, and often the primary cause for my disappointments and frustrations, no doubt the disappointments and frustrations of others.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today…

May God’s presence be birthed in us that we might be the answer that others are hoping for…