The Hope of Christmas - Dec. 3rd
The Hope of Christmas - Dec. 3rd
Pastor Jim Quigley
Psalm 33:20-22; Psalm 130:1-5; Romans 15:13
What is Advent?
The word “advent” is derived from the Latin word for “coming.” In Christianity, the season of advent—which is the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is both a time of celebration and waiting. It’s a celebration in that we remember and rejoice in Jesus’s first coming—that is, His incarnation when He was born of the virgin Mary. But it is also a time of waiting as we eagerly long for His second coming when He will come to restore all things and fully usher in His eternal kingdom. Traditionally, four words—hope, peace, joy, and love—are used as themes to reflect on in order to prepare our hearts during the advent season. This year in our Advent Devotionals, we will be reflecting on one word each week in order to ready our hearts to celebrate Christmas as we simultaneously wait for His second coming.
The Hope of Christmas
One of the most important themes that you find throughout the whole Bible is that of hope. But it is not like the hope that is commonly used today. In today’s day and age, “hope” refers more to wishful thinking or optimism. In this sense, “hope” is not certain but rather is unknown. You hope to get a certain thing for Christmas, but you’re not sure if you will. You hope—that is, you are optimistic—that everything will work out, but you can’t be certain.
But the way that the Bible uses the word “hope” is far different. Hope is understood as expectant waiting. The hope that is referenced in the Bible has a level of certainty. And the reason for this certainty is because it is hope that is dependent on our good, faithful God. For instance, Psalm 130:5 says, “I will wait [or hope] for the Lord, my soul waits [or hopes], and in His word I hope.” This sentiment of a certain hope—an expectant waiting—is seen throughout the Old Testament (see for example: Psalm 27:14; 33:20-22; Isaiah 30:18; 40:31; Micah 7:7; etc.)
Prior to Jesus’s first coming, God’s people held on to the certain hope that God would send the Messiah who would be their Rescuer and Deliverer. The prophets foretold what He would be like. And the people waited and hoped for the day that God would be faithful to fulfill His promise.
Then one day, in the town of Bethlehem, born of the virgin Mary, the promised Redeemer arrived. The One whom God’s people had been hoping for—waiting expectantly for—had finally come to save them. Jesus, the Messiah, has come.
And just as the people waited for the Messiah to come and give them the hope of salvation, we now eagerly wait and hope for Christ’s second coming when He will save us completely. We expectantly wait for Him to usher in His eternal kingdom where all things will be restored and there will be no more death, mourning, suffering, or sin.
And so this week, let’s look back to the first Christmas when Jesus came into the world to purchase the hope of salvation for all who would trust in Him. And then let’s look forward and hope for His second coming when He will come again to bring us to our heavenly home.
Reflection:
- Read Psalm 33:20-22, Psalm 130:1-5, and Romans 15:13. Reflect on the concept of hope from each passage.
- How does the certain hope of Jesus’s second coming impact how you live and act today as you expectantly wait?
- Think of one believer and one nonbeliever that you can talk to about this devotional.