Tuesday, December 3 

Advent is a season of hope. 

Hope is more than mere optimism.  It’s more than a simple belief that things will get better. 

Hope is stickier than that.  Hope is something that can last even when things are scary, when there’s no obvious reason to feel good, when you can’t imagine how you’re going to get through what you’re facing. 

Hope is essential.  Hope sustains us. 

When everything seems fine, you don’t need hope.  You don’t need hope when you think you are powerful enough to fix things for yourself.  You don’t need hope when you think you think you’re in control. 

But, eventually, all of us realize that we are out of control.  Eventually, all of us realize that we can’t save ourselves.  Eventually, all of us realize that there are things that we can’t fix on our own. 

Hope is something that can exist even when there seems to be no reason for it.  Because hope is about something deeper.  From a Christian perspective, hope is something that comes from God.  Hope is something that comes from our trust in what God has done and is doing in Jesus Christ. 

What are you hoping for this Advent season? 

What thing in your life are you praying for God to change? What are you praying for God to heal? What are you praying for God to transform in our world? 

What are you hoping for? 

We can hope for even things that seem impossible – because hope doesn’t depend on us.  Hope depends on Jesus Christ, who is always faithful – and who is working for our good, even when it seems impossible. 

What are you hoping for?