As the church year begins anew, Advent engulfs our thoughts,
our imaginations, and our horizon. The first Sunday reminds us of hope. This
sort of hope has various nuances including those of weariness, of questioning,
of desire, of want. All these are expectable human responses to a God who seems
not present, aloof, disengaged. We have heard the hecklers even in Scripture
when they ask, “it’s been a long time; where is your God?” Those who would be
the people of God may be excused for these feelings that border on despair and
threaten their trust in the God they seek to follow. This hope though, also
includes remnants of that trust and leads to stronger trust in a God who is not
seen but who has demonstrated His presence and power in the past.
Advent hope, fully exercised leaves the negative nuances
behind and chooses not to look at them. Rather, this hope recalls the promises,
recalls the past faithfulness, and leans into it once again. God has promised a
messiah, a savior, a redeemer and it is this hope that Advent leads His people
toward. In the first century, Israel was waiting for her messiah. In the 21st
century, disciples are faced with similar nuances during this season. The world
is in turmoil, society seems to want to sideline any sort of faith, and even people
of faith seem to go crazy on a regular basis.
Advent reminds us, especially on this first Sunday that we
are people of faith and we are called to trust and rely on God, no matter what
the world looks like; no matter what sorts of abuse or dismissing we might
experience. This year, hope is an apropos theme to begin Advent; a reminder
that we are called to trust God no matter what. Because we trust Him, we have
assured hope that He will vindicate our faith.
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