Jesus Still Dispels Hopelessness and Fear
The theme of this first week of Advent is HOPE, and words from the familiar Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, keep rising to the surface of my mind.
Lately, I’ve spoken with several people whose reservoir of HOPE seems depleted.
During this same time, I’ve been reading and meditating upon the first chapter of the New Testament book of Luke in preparation for speaking to a group of women. Luke 1 is written upon a dark backdrop of hopelessness. Some 700 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah, and yet, since then, God’s people had experienced much heartache—often because of their own disregard for God’s ways and insistence on doing life on their own terms. I imagine, for most, the hope for a Messiah who they believed would change their bleak circumstances was depleted.
In verses 5-25, Luke gives the account of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, good, faithful people who both “were righteous in the sight of God …” (v.6). But their hope for ever conceiving a child was depleted until an angel appeared to Zechariah.
HOPE showed up!
This couple, past childbearing years, is promised a son [to be named John] who will “bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (v. 16)
Moving on to verses 26-38, about six months had elapsed, when the angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary.
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (vv. 30-32) Wow! The long-ago-promised Messiah was finally going to enter the scene.
Once again, HOPE showed up!
Many times in my life journey, I have found myself embroiled in dark circumstances, which seem to intensify during the Christmas season. After all, isn’t Christmas supposed to be filled with merry, magical moments? Perhaps, as you’re reading this post today, that’s exactly how you feel.
My prayer for you right now is that HOPE will show up at just the right time. In the meantime, during dark days of waiting and disappointment, I am asking the God who knows, who sees, who cares to instill deep within your soul that hopes and fears—perhaps ones that have lasted a very long time—are still met in Jesus.
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
During this holy season of Advent—and beyond—may our hearts be filled with HOPE!
