Advent: A Season of Hope

This post is by Shaina Weisgerber.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

This time of the year is full of lists. To do lists, lists for Santa, grocery lists, and more. Those lists for Santa are full of hope. Children are full of hope and wonder as they ask for that favorite toy. They are just certain that on Christmas morning they will get that pair of roller blades, hoverboard, dollhouse, or Nintendo. Full of hope, full of wonder, and certain of the joy to come!

What is something you’re hoping for this season? A new phone? New clothes? A nap? The kids to outgrow tantrums? Your spouse to pay attention for once? A new car? A job? Healing? Companionship? Relief from pain or grief? A child? Another moment with a loved one who is gone? 

Everywhere we look things seem completely hopeless. War is going on overseas. There is division in our country. The economy, the white house, the local government, vacancies within companies, all remind us of our dysfunction as a people. Our teachers are tired, healthcare workers are exhausted, families are torn apart, people are losing loved ones, the unknowns of the days ahead are daunting.

So where is this HOPE we speak of? Where is the good in any of this? You know what I am going to say next.

Jesus.

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

There is not much we can do right now to fix anything. We are going to have to endure. What we will never have to do is endure alone. 

There is never a moment, in Christ, where he leaves you. He hasn’t left your loved ones. He hasn’t left you. He hasn’t dismissed your pain or your hardship. He is right there in the middle of it all. He is with all those hurting in war torn countries. He is near to the broken hearted families as they endure the pain and loss of recent attacks. He is also holding you, strengthening you and helping you, right now. He is powerful. He is full of compassion and grace for you, right where you are. 

The HOPE we experience during Advent is that we anticipate that Christ came down to us, Emmanuel, as a baby. He came to live so that he could die for us all. If he had never come down to this earth to be the hope of all mankind, we would be doomed to hell, we would have to endure the pain and hollowness of a life without him. Thankfully, we do not have to do that. We are given an opportunity to live this life, even in its hardship, with an everlasting hope. His promise of returning again is what we now look forward to. No matter what we endure here, we can be sure that our eternal home is our reward.

No matter the situation you find yourself in today, the only certain hope is Jesus. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a broken down car or a struggling marriage, he is the remedy. He is the cure. He is where new life, hope, healing, and redemption come from.

I am praying for you all; that you might know Christ’s nearness. I pray that you feel His presence in your midst. I pray that the Prince of Peace would surround you in these days. I pray that you would talk to the Wonderful Counselor. Tell him of all your needs, your heartache and desires. I pray that you would take courage in the Mighty God of the universe that loves you so. I pray that you would lean on the arms of the Everlasting Father. He is secure and He is good.

This season, whether spirited and jolly or heavy and burdened, Christ has come. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. And for that reason, WE HAVE HOPE.

Shaina Weisgerber is a native Texan. She and her husband Nick and two girls live in the middle of the panhandle. She enjoys working as a part time florist, subbing at her girls’ school, leading worship, writing, and spending time with the family. You can join her on social media at Sycamore & Sparrow on instagram, facebook, and at her blog www.sycamoresparrow.wordpress.com 

Photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash