Advent Devotional: Friday, December 6, 2024

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”   Isaiah 9:6 

Illustrated by Caeden Myers (Age 7)

Our Ultimate Gift of Hope

Recently our church community and youth have been discussing hope since the theme of our Stewardship campaign was “Live into Hope.” This scripture passage from Isaiah 9:6 provides us with hope as it anticipates a new administration of peace and prosperity in Jerusalem. It anticipates a season of “great light” because of Jesus’ birth from the “darkness” of imperial exploitation and injustice that God’s people had been experiencing under the empire of Assyria.

In using this Scripture passage for our Advent devotion last year and asking youth what hope meant to them and how they can spread hope to others, one of their answers was that we can spread hope to others by helping them to experience the gift of Jesus Christ who was born for ALL people. This youth’s answer was so incredibly powerful and made me pause as it reminded me that when Jesus was born, hope was also born. We, as people of faith, await the Savior’s coming with gladness and expectation that in his holy birth, our lives may be renewed.

While it is so hard to wait and the difficulties, brokenness, concerns, challenges, grief, and injustices of this world, especially within these last few months, as well as the never-ending to-do lists of the season might overwhelm us, Christ’s hope-filled arrival means we can have hope right here, right now. This is one reason we light candles during Advent to remind us that Christ is the light of the world, the center of our lives, and the shining beacon of hope for all the universe. As people of faith, we will find hope in Christ because with Christ, there is always hope.

As we journey through this Advent season, may our hearts be eager for the arrival and renewal of hope that comes through Christ and be ready to spread hope. Let us remember that we are called to witness. We should not keep news of Christ’s birth to ourselves, but rather share it with others for ALL people to experience. Advent “is meant to teach us how to live in hope, and to trust and love the object of our hope.” (Tish Harrison Warren from her book, Advent: The Season of Hope.)  Christ is our ultimate gift of hope.

Prayer: God of hope, who brought love into this world through Christ, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world through Christ, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world through Christ, be the joy that dwells between us. For the hope that lives each Advent because of Christ’ coming and because of Christ’ love that has no end, we give you thanks. Open our eyes and hearts that this might be an Advent of hope to the world. Amen (prayer adapted from faithandworship.com)

Rev. Lindsey Odom

SMPC Associate Pastor of Youth and Missions/Outreach

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