Christmas Lights A Candle Of Hope In Our Souls

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seems to be no hope at all.”

Dale Carnegie

Rest in hope. Rest in faith. Rest in prayer.

Meditate and make your place in grace.

This week was the first Sunday of Advent

As we get older Christmas begins to take on a different meaning, does it not? Gone are the days where you sit under the tree and dream of presents. Growing up in the belly of the south, Christmas was a deeply religious time. I know that folks argue about the placement of when Christmas happens, etc.. While I am very happy to listen to their qualms, I often take a moment to tell them that yes, I am aware of the date, etc.. but Christmas is a space and solace of hope.

What kind of hope does Christmas embody?

Christmas is a marvelous time to think of the many facets of hope. We hope that people will embrace the spirit of kindness and giving. Christ had 2 commandments that spur us toward hope. Jesus admonished us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourself. To me that is the embodiment of hope. To love someone who is wholly different than you is giving them a seed of hope. What? How? When we want what is best for others we are lending our faith, our hope and Christ’s love to them.

This year has seemed hopeless

Do I mean to go through life blissfully unaware? No. Not at all. Rather, it is hoping for the best for all the people that are around you. Today was the first Sunday of Advent. The Candle of Hope was lit in anticipation of Christ’s birth. In the last few months, I have really and truly pondered hope. This year has been challenging in many ways for our family. Health issues, kids deployed, an empty nest, the loss of loved ones. Six months ago if you had asked me what I would name this year I would have said without hesitation. Hopeless. Everywhere I turned there was darkness abounding. It took a particularly poignant moment to bring my weary outlook back into a place of hope. 

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3

The hope of God Springs eternal

On a particularly dark and dreary night that was full of hurt feelings, unsure circumstances and a sense of giving up, God in His grace shared His gift of hope in my mind and heart. It was late, sleep had not come easily, tears were streaming from my eyes and the feeling was overwhelmingly, “Just give up.” It was at that moment I said, “I got nothing God, I need Your help.” In a still small voice I heard the scripture: But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31

The Scripture opened my spiritual eyes

After dwelling on the scripture, I realized that I had been depending on my strength to navigate this difficult moment in life. How often have we lifelong church folks heard to let go and let God? I used to think that was a silly phrase that was a gross oversimplification of scripture. But was it really? If we have hope within us and God’s strength dwelling in us then we have a place to turn in times of trouble. Our human inclination is to cling onto the situation with every bent and weary finger hanging on to life and control. But the Scripture tells us to wait on the Lord, to expect of Him. To hope.

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6

After that loving moment with Father God, I decided to read a bit more about hope. Colossians 1:27 leapt off the page during my reading.  To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. The hope, the realization is that Jesus came to help us walk through life. All we have to do is to ask. He never told us that life would be tea parties and roses each day (if only).

God’s hope is a beautiful dwelling place

God in His wisdom knew we had to draw from the realization that His hope dwells in us through His son Jesus Christ. He will walk with us, He will bring us through. I was depending on and drawing from my faltering hope rather than fixing my eyes on the hope of glory.

“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

Try to find the deep joy of Christ during this Advent season and beyond

 God’s hope is your beam of light when nothing seems to work. Hope is your sliver of glow that you need to bolster your strength when things are hard. Hope is Holding on with Purposeful Expectation. I pray that each of you dear readers find hope to carry on. The days seem dark, the arguments are steep. But hope springs eternal. 

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12