Embodying Hope
I’ve noticed over the last few weeks that every time I think to myself “Christmas is coming”, I hear it in the tone of Game of Thrones when they say “Winter is coming!” That statement comes with an ominous tone, or sense of foreboding, reminding us of what the cold conditions bring. I think that as a minister the ominous tone that goes through my head is because the season of Advent, which comes before Christmas, is filled with so many extra activities, and preparations for Christmas as well as heightened expectations. That being said, after 30 years in congregational ministry I have developed some practices to help me not become completely overwhelmed. I typically plan a few days break during Advent so that I can go out into the world and get into the Christmas spirit. I do enjoy getting outside and seeing the Christmas lights while having some mulled wine or hot apple cider with friends. I have always enjoyed caroling, though I haven’t done this for several years. But the most important thing that I do is focus on living in the present moment, and thus staying in the season of Advent. Christmas will come…but not yet. Each week of advent invites us to explore a different theme, those being: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
The season of Advent is the season of preparation and waiting. What are we waiting for? We are awaiting the celebration of Jesus’ birth, or to put it another way, we are preparing to celebrate his birthday. I had a great conversation with some members of the community of faith last year. One of the people asked me why we keep talking about waiting for Jesus to be born? Jesus was born a long time ago, he died, he was resurrected and he ascended. You can’t argue that. So really the liturgical year which begins on Advent 1, follows Jesus' life, death and resurrection and provides us with a path to relearn, rediscover and renew our connection with Jesus, while also deepening our faith in God. In many ways, I think that the season of Advent brings us back to the basics of faith.
Our faith tells us that there is hope, for nothing is impossible for God. Our hymns tell us that “Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.” So when we find ourselves waking up in the darkness and coming home from our daily activities in the darkness we know that God is with us, watching over us and caring for us. What we are being invited to do in this first week of advent is embody hope in our day to day activities. When we embody hope, hope becomes visible and tangible through one’s presence, choices and way of being. We show others that there is goodness in the world, and that healing is possible. People who embody hope act with courage, practice compassion, speak with affirmation and positivity, are humble, create beauty in the world, and they do not give up. Jesus embodied hope for the disciples and the people of the world. We are part of the body of Christ and so we too must practice embodying hope for others. We need to bring light and healing to all people we encounter. How will you embody hope this coming week? I invite you to embrace the journey of Advent and practice living in the present while being the hope, peace, joy and love of Christ in the world!
Blessings, Rev. Karen