"The manger dares us to believe the best is yet to be. And it could all begin today."
-Max Lucado
Every year it seems we invite our Christmas tree into our tiny living room earlier and earlier. It invades our space, yet fills our hearts. This year, when Halloween candy was fresh from the evening before, pumpkins still scattered, and a fall candle lit, we brought in the tree. When my son (18 months) saw this lit miracle for the first time, he instantly whispered "wow". He stared at it, unblinking for long moments of awe. My eyes filled with tears. He doesn't yet know what hope this season brings, but even this simple symbol with its sparkling lights brings his heart to wonder.
I'm not one for surprises. I think I like the joy that comes with the anticipation. Advent helps me with that.
Growing up, I never even heard the word "Advent" and I certainly didn't practice it. Not that there wasn't anticipation leading up to Christmas Day, there truly was. But as I got older, there were many years that Christmas came and went. It was a fun day, I thought of Christ, and then cleaned up wrapping paper, ate too much, and embarrassingly moved on. I had a lot on my plate, as we all do. College exams, Christmas parties galore, gifts to buy, and money to make. There was so much rush surrounding this one special day, that often the day itself got lost in the shuffle of it all.
But to practice Advent or "the coming", is to practice waiting. To slow our peripherals and focus intently on the coming King. The Christ, born in a manger, to be my Savior, my friend, my God. We pause daily to reflect on His arrival as we wait expectantly for a promise to be fulfilled. To celebrate the hope of the promise that was fulfilled.
Not Wishful Thinking
At Advent, God invites us to put on hope. The kind of hope that can only arise from knowing Him. It is not wishful thinking or good intentions. It is a rock to stand on. Sturdy, unmoving and trustworthy.
Romans 8: 24-25 says "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
This is a hope rooted firmly in a knowledge of a God who is always working, even when we can't see it, even while we are waiting. He is working all things out for His glory and our good.
His Promises are True
I got stood up on Valentines day once. Yeah, poor little Jessica. I remember what I had on and the excitement I felt as I got ready. My date was late, but that wasn't uncommon. I figured I'd catch up on some Gilmore Girls to pass the time. Three episodes later... my hope had totally dwindled into sadness. (Just to clear the air, this man would not be my future husband!) I felt too sad to just call it a night, so I met up with some single friends and we had an amazing night.
My point is, this hope we have in Christ is already assured by the cross. He is good for His promises to us, even while we wait for their fulfillment. It may feel like He is leaving you hanging in the unknown, but friend, He is leaving you gifts of His presence all over the place, while you wait for His return. And He will not stand you up.
Waiting With Hope Well
There's waiting, and then there's waiting well. I wait in line at the grocery store, picking my nails, and trying to entertain my toddler with any and everything. But, I can't say that I usually wait well. I get frustrated when the woman in front of me pulls out a 10th coupon or writes a check. I'm embarrassed to admit that when Amazon takes longer than it's 2-day delivery, I'm a little bit thrown off.
Because our hope in Christ is sure, we can wait patiently, not panicked or anxiously, trusting that God is already at work to provide the light we seek in this dark world. He is already at work fulfilling His promises to be our Help, our Healer, our Joy.
This season, lets wait well. Choose a way to celebrate Advent tangibly in your home. Buy a simple Advent wreath or tree. Light candles to remind you and your loved ones of the light that this hope brings. Do all of your Christmas shopping in one place or at one time. Make room for the good kind of hope in your heart.
Action Steps
1. Read and consider memorizing Romans 15:13. Write it on a 3x5 card or take a snapshot of it here for your screensaver.
2. Reread Romans 15:13 replacing "you" with "me" and "I".
"May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".
Let this be your prayer today, "Lord be my hope."
3. Let me help you check a few special women off of your Christmas gift list. Dear Mushka is my #1 favorite place to buy gifts. This jewelry is handmade and paired perfectly with a scripture verse card. It comes wrapped adorably with an already stamped card and a lifesaver! Dear Mushka started as a way for the owner to fund an adoption and since then it has become a staple gift idea for the women in my life. Click the link below to shop with a $5 discount.
Lastly, please know, you are loved and seen. You are cherished and cared for. You are not alone and the hope you have in Christ is as steady and sure as the rising sun. Uninvite chaos this season and reach toward the hope of Advent.
Love,
Jessica
Thank you for another amazing post!