The Advent of a Savior [Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love]

The advent of a Savior was the ultimate gift on that very first Christmas morning. “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul. Those who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”*

Hope in the Advent

“Hope has a name. And his name is Jesus.” – unknown

Our holiday season took a hard turn before it barely began, but in the sadness and the why’s God sweetly reminds me of Paul’s prayer, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him” (Romans 15:13). Nothing which has transpired over the holiday season is a surprise to Him. We have not slipped out of God’s fingers. His love is steadfast and unfailing. He is all-knowing and good.

The hope of glory is not only for the eternal life to come, but also for this one meaningful journey we share on earth. Recently, a friend who is going through a similar season shared how God whispered the life-giving words “I am still the hope of glory” amidst sorrow-filled days. We are called to share with others the hope of Jesus year round, but especially at Christmas as we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

My prayer is that our words and deeds echo hope in the darkness and shine love. So that all may see and believe in Him. The One who shines brightest in the darkness is the hope of the world, friend. hope is a person and His name is Jesus. 

✨“In his name the nations will put their hope” (Matthew 12:21).

Reflection: How can you echo hope to a watching world?

Peace in the Advent

“Peace means far more than the opposite of war.” – Fred Rogers

True peace isn’t found in the absence of struggle, pain, or suffering. But in the heightened awareness of God’s mercy, faithfulness, and goodness toward a world bent against him. Peace is simply trusting in God’s character.

Peace (or shalom) in the Old Testament is a greeting, and the desired outcome of all relationships, but peace in the New Testament alludes to the the advent (or coming) of the promised Messiah, the Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan to bring light into a world lost in darkness. God chose to bring himself down to earth in a conspiracy of love, y’all! And He gives peace to all who trust in Him.

Lord, you always shine brightest in the darkness. Grant me peace in the storms of life as I await the return of your blessed Son. Don’t let worry, pain, or unwanted circumstance distract me from the message of your blessed birth. Help me to trust when things seem their darkest. Transform me by your grace to shine your love for all the world to see.

✨“My blessing is on those people who trust in me” (Jeremiah 17:7).

✨“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:10). 

Reflection: How is God asking you to trust in him in this season as you await his coming? ✨

Joy in the Advent

“Joyful people see with open eyes the hard reality of human existence and at the same time are not imprisoned by it.” – Henri Nouwen

Finding joy in the midst of human suffering is what the manger message is all about. Through human struggle and suffering, we too as joy-filled believers can point a watching, wandering world back to the light of the world. Our lives are to shine brighter as we travel toward completion. But very often we fail at our mission. No one can meet every struggle and challenge with perfection, but we can learn to perfect His love in us—one challenging circumstance at a time.

A life that shines the love of Jesus is well-deserving of those coveted words, “Well done, my child.” One fine day, all of our journeys this side of heaven will come to an end. And what a glorious day it will be. ‘Til then, let’s shine the love of Jesus Christ. And in all of life’s hardest places. Let’s make heaven crowded, y’all! 🙌🏻

✨“Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He then endured the cross and conquered its humiliation. And now [He] sits at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:28). 

✨“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining brighter til the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Reflection: How can you exude joy through challenging circumstances to a watching world?

Love in the Advent

“It is only because He became like us that we can become like him.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Christ child came down for a world at enmity with God to save it from the cost of its own sin and rebellion. Only the perfect love of a Father could love so unselfishly—and lavishly. Real love is costly, but reflects the heart of the Creator. When we love the unlovable, we’re transformed to the image of Christ. And we become light bearers pointing back to the life that is the light of the world—and the hope of all mankind! 

Our greatest sermon to a watching world is how we love in the hard places. Everything God created is good. And everything He allows is for His good purpose. Nothing should be despised or rejected, but instead received in humility and gratitude. We are to accept each and every challenge as an opportunity to grow and love like Him.

What a wondrous love story we’ve been invited into friend; to love like Jesus with the heart of the Father. 

✨“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

✨“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1 John 1:1-4). 

Reflection: Are you in the midst of a challenging circumstance disguised as an opportunity to love? Ask God to shine His love in and through you for all to see.

A Wish [for all of us] in the Advent

✨“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

The advent of a Savior was full of struggle, pain, uncertainty, and suffering. Some of my most meaningful Christmases are the ones which carried great sorrow. Wherever you are on the Christmas scale this year, I pray your heart is filled with hope, joy, peace, and love as you celebrate the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas! ✨💕

*Dietrich Bonhoeffer