Advent: A Season of Hope

 As we move into the last month of 2020, many of us may be thinking, "Good riddance." This year has been filled with illness, pandemic, economic struggles, physical distancing, loneliness, depression and the just plain old yucks. It would be easy to think that this year is unique. Unfortunately, for those who know their history, this is just another unfortunate year of many. It just feels unique to us. 

Thankfully, we are given many gifts by our ancestors to help us in this time of struggle. The first such good gift is our own scriptures. The story's we find there are descriptions of others found hope in the midst of what seemed like very dark times. Daniel prayed three times a day and followed the ways of faith to keep him focused. Hannah sang a song of hope. David wrote songs and poetry. Jesus took time in the garden for prayer and meditation. 

Another good gift is the hymns and poetry of people down through the ages during times of pain and loss. We sang one such song on Christ the King Sunday, Peace Like a River. Other gifts from our ancestors include paintings and stories that teach our faith.

Advent is also one of those gifts given by the Church. For Advent we are surrounded by candles and the hopeful color blue. Greenery is brought into the home to remind us of the life God so desires for us. And we sing hymns longing and hoping for the next coming of the Christ to heal our broken world.

If you find this season difficult, please delve into your faith tradition and listen to what is being taught us there: 

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
embracing all things far and nigh:
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way.

O come, O come, O Lord of might,
as to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times you gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

O come, O Branch of Jesse, free
your own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell your people save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel!