in which i find myself hope-full....

advent.  it literally means 'coming'.

much like the people who awaited the coming birth of the Savior, we anxiously wait for His return. 

for the past few years, i have purposed myself to focus on the true meaning of the season.  i mean, really focus. 

among all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the loud ringing of cash registers and the people who shop way to early for stuff they don't really need and all the 'it-must-be-pinterest-worthy' holiday cards, the true meaning gets drown out. 

in a world that literally makes no room for Him, i hear the whisper in my heart. 

will you make room for Me?

and so, i still myself.  i listen.  i push all the rest aside.  with feet curled underneath me and a hot cup of tea i dive into the most beautiful love story of all time. 

the story that started with just a tiny, bundle of Hope.  nestled snug and warm in a feeding trough.  without fanfare or balloons or flower arrangements, Hope was born.  in the quiet, still of the night, Hope burst forth into a dark world.

Hope.

'the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.'

isaiah 9:2

 

 

 

even in the dark world we find ourselves today, hope is not lost.  we just tend to push hope aside and reach for the nearest thing that will bring immediate satisfaction.  stuff we don't need.  or really even want. 

 

we are choking ourselves on the garbage this world shoves down our throats, believing we will eventually get full.  happy.  at peace.

 

 

might we still ourselves just long enough this season and really celebrate the meaning of Christmas?  might we push everything else aside, all the gift wrapping and baking and partying, and really make room for Hope to take up residence?  to live among us?

 

might we? 

 

'and again, isaiah says:

   "there shall be a root of jesse;

and He who shall rise to reign over the gentiles, 

    in Him the gentiles shall have hope." 

now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.'

romans 15: 12-13

 

 



as we make room for Hope, we find ourselves full of joy and peace.  and that's better than anything you can unwrap this Christmas.