The Christmas season is finally upon us. This year, our tree was up and fully adorned by mid-November; judging by the lights we tallied on our daily afternoon walks, the decision to decorate early has been a common one in 2020. And it is no wonder. This year has been bleak and devastating, and many of us have been looking forward to holiday cheer. We long for the feel-good, cozy spirit of decorations, cookies, cards, and festive music. It feels like an escape from the despair all around us. But while these lighthearted enjoyments are good and lovely, I want to encourage us to think deeper. As we enter this advent season let’s not settle only for the glitter and tinsel and Hallmark movie endings, but something truer and tied to the bedrock of our faith, where hope truly lies.
For many people, the syrupy sweetness of this season is the only “hope” they can cling to right now. As Christians, we know better. This special time of advent gives us a good opportunity to reflect on, rehearse with one another, and share the reason for our hope. Christ Jesus is a far cry from a “syrupy sweet” Savior. He is the cornerstone of Christianity. He enables our faith to withstand the trials of this year with robust steadfastness. When you think about it, Christianity was made for a year like 2020. Our whole mission is to shine the greatness and goodness of the redeeming love of God to a world yet to know him. We have been given everlasting peace in Him, the fullness of joy in Him, and unshakable hope in Him. There is no year, no day, no moment when those truths change. I know of a few million people who could use such hope right now.
And so we get to the current season, the season of advent. Advent is a time of waiting. It is a time of preparation during the Christmas season in which Christians take time to remember what happened before Jesus entered the world. We read about prophets who foretold His birth, about angels who proclaimed His birth, about shepherds who were His first visitors. Our anticipation builds as we get closer and closer to the special moment that heralds our King’s arrival.
But our waiting is about more than just anticipation. Waiting can also be painful. While we wait we remember the 400 years of silence Israel endured waiting for the Messiah to come. We wait with yearning, knowing presently we are still here, living amidst sin and sickness and hate and death. We observe advent and remember their waiting for Christ, while also waiting ourselves. We live in anticipation for Christ to come again; to come back in triumph and make all things new.
It has felt like this entire year has been one big painful groan (reminding me of Romans 8:18-25), which is why I think we can use this as a connection point with our neighbors and loved ones. We can show them about the groanings of waiting for a Messiah, the joy of His arrival, and the redemption, hope, and peace He brings. And while we continue to wait and long for Him to come and set everything right again, we can praise Him for the gift of inviting others to dive deeply into the well of hope with us.
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
– article written by Elizabeth Sim
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