Advent 2024: What are you Hoping for?
December 05, 2024
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Hello, dear Sumites, Ian from sunny Sydney.
Here we are at the end of another year! And another Advent season. It’s my favourite season of the year for a variety of reasons, one being that my birthday happens to be in it, but more significantly, it’s a season where I typically begin to reflect on the year past and the one that is ahead. The sense of “arrival” of a new year is significant. And of course that is the meaning of the word, Advent.
"In Advent we prepare for the coming of all love - that love which will redeem all the brokenness, wrongness, and hardnesses of heart that have afflicted us." Madeleine L'Engle
The arrival of Jesus
Advent of course is about Jesus. His birth and the expectancy of His coming again once day. Consequently, for me, it is a season of hope. Jesus is coming and the wonder of Advent is that for us we get to experience Him every day through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I find Advent is a good time to try to slow down and seek to be more present with Jesus and others. Jesus is always with us, and it requires intention to receive all the love and grace he offers us.
Even though for the traditionalists, hope is the theme for week one of Advent, I’ve sensed the entire 4 weeks for me is all about hope. As I lingered with this the other day, I sensed this ‘hope’ centered around 3 areas:
- Hope of a new future. I’m sensing an excitement about 2025 and something new. Maybe all it is, is just that. A New Year and the opportunities that present themselves. But, I’m hoping for something more … hmmm
- Hope of greater intimacy with our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and people. Intimacy is a significant longing for me, and I seek it in all my relationships.
- Hope of overflowing in love in all I do.
I took great encouragement from 2 of the Bible readings that featured on Sunday, the first day of Advent, confirming my ‘hope-full’ intentions. I follow the Advent liturgy throughout the season which I find immensely enjoyable.
Holy Spirit nudged me particularly with two verses in Psalm 25:
“Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in you all day long. (v4-5 NIV UK)
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” (v10)
And then in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIVUK)
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
Here’s wishing you all a lovely Advent and Christmas. I wonder if you practice Advent or have any particular intentions for the month. And hope? What are you hoping for this season and 2025? I you haven't already, we'd encourage you to open. dialogue with the Lord about your hopes. Even though He already knows all things, it's the relational aspect of communicating, listening and sharing ideas that draw us closer to Him.
We’d love to start a conversation about Advent and hopes in the comments below if you are willing to share.
Go well, dear friends and many blessings for a peaceful and hope-filled Advent and Christmas season.