Advent: A Season of Hope
Advent: A Season of Hope
As we approach the season of Advent, Christians around the world prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. But Advent is more than just a countdown to the holiday—it is a time of reflection, anticipation, and, most importantly, hope. In the midst of a world often marked by uncertainty, pain, and longing, Advent invites us to look forward to the light that will come, the hope that will be realized, and the promise that God is with us.
The theme of hope runs throughout Advent, starting with the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah and continuing in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus, who fulfills these promises. The Scripture readings during Advent focus on the anticipation of Christ's first coming and also point toward His promised second coming. Let’s explore the theme of hope through the lens of Scripture and how it shapes our experience during this season.
1. Hope in the Old Testament: The Promise of a Savior
Advent has its roots in the longing for a Savior. For centuries, the people of Israel waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Messiah, a deliverer who would bring justice, peace, and restoration. In the midst of their suffering under foreign oppression, their hopes were centered on God’s faithfulness to fulfill His word.
One of the clearest expressions of this hope is found in the prophecy of Isaiah:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
—Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)
In this verse, Isaiah speaks of a time when God’s light will break into the darkness of the world, a light that will guide and redeem. This prophecy, often read during Advent, points directly to the birth of Jesus, the "light of the world" (John 8:12), who would bring the hope of salvation to all people.
2. Hope in the New Testament: The Fulfillment of God’s Promise
When we turn to the New Testament, we see that the hope expressed in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. His birth in Bethlehem is the moment when God’s promises to Israel are made real and tangible. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), who will bring hope not just to Israel, but to the entire world.
In the Gospel of Luke, we read about the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
—Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
This announcement is filled with hope: the Savior has arrived, and His birth will bring joy to all people. The arrival of Jesus signifies that God’s promise has been kept, and the long season of waiting is over. For Christians, this is the ultimate hope—the hope that through Jesus, we can be reconciled to God, receive forgiveness for our sins, and live in the light of His love.
3. Hope for the Present: Waiting in Expectation
Advent is not only about remembering the past, but also about waiting in expectation for what is yet to come. The Christian faith holds in tension the reality of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of His second coming. Just as the Israelites waited for the Messiah’s arrival, we too wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises in the return of Christ.
The apostle Paul encourages believers to live with this hopeful expectation:
"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. Who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
—Romans 8:24-25 (ESV)
Paul reminds us that hope is not about what we already possess or see; it is about the promise of what is to come. In this way, Advent is a season where we practice this kind of patient waiting. We wait for the fullness of God’s Kingdom, where all things will be made new, where there will be no more suffering, no more pain, and no more death.
4. Hope in the Midst of Suffering
Advent is also a time to acknowledge the brokenness of the world around us. It is a time to name the darkness, pain, and suffering that many experience during the holiday season. For some, this time of year may be marked by grief, loneliness, or hardship. Yet, it is precisely in the midst of this darkness that the hope of Advent shines brightest.
The hope we celebrate during Advent is not a naïve or wishful thinking, but a hope grounded in the reality of God’s presence in the midst of suffering. The apostle Peter writes:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
—1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Our hope is a "living hope" because it is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, a resurrection that promises victory over death, sin, and sorrow. Even when life feels heavy or overwhelming, the hope of Advent calls us to remember that God is with us in our suffering, and He will one day wipe away every tear.
5. Hope for the World: The Coming Kingdom
Advent also calls us to look beyond our individual circumstances and consider the hope that is for the entire world. The birth of Jesus marks the arrival of God's Kingdom—a Kingdom characterized by justice, mercy, peace, and love. As we wait for Christ's return, we are invited to live in ways that reflect this hope, bringing light to the darkness and working toward a world that mirrors God's reign.
In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches about the coming of His Kingdom and calls His followers to serve others in love:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’"
—Matthew 25:34 (NIV)
The hope of Advent invites us not only to anticipate Christ's return but to live in light of that future reality. It calls us to be agents of hope in a broken world, sharing God's love and justice with those who need it most.
Conclusion: Advent—A Time to Rejoice in Hope
Advent is a season of hope—hope rooted in God's promises, fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, and extending to us and to the world. It is a time to wait, to reflect, and to anticipate the coming of the Savior, both in His birth and in His return. As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember that the hope of Advent is not just a wish for better days, but a confident expectation that God is at work, fulfilling His promises and bringing His Kingdom to fruition.
As we light the Advent candles, may they remind us of the great light that has come into the world—and the light that will one day fill the earth in its fullness. In the darkness of our world, the light of Christ shines brightly, and in that light, we find our hope.
