ADVENT, which began last Sunday, announces both of Christ's comings into our lives. That first coming as the Messiah and our Savior happened in time and fulfilled a promise made to a specific people. It was a light in the darkness of life in this flawed world. It was the birth of HOPE in a troubled existence.
The second coming has yet to happen, but it too is promised as the time of fulfillment. At that second coming, ALL peoples will stand before the King of kings and answer for the way they lived their lives. It will be a time of judgment, rooted in justice in the midst of an unjust world ... a time of accountability rooted in understanding, compassion and mercy. It will be the rewarding of the hope placed in the One who is Lord of all.
ADVENT is full of beautiful icons, images of grace and favor, images of the sacred. HOPE is one of those Advent icons. Remember that we are a people of hope.
Sunday's Gospel from chapter 21 of Luke reminds us that in the midst of all the world's turmoil, which has grown greater and darker over the centuries, and even as Jesus prepares for his own suffering and death, he tells us to "stand tall and lift your heads!" because our redemption is at hand.
Our redemption ... freedom from sin, deliverance from evil, a way through suffering ... is near! His truth has set us free and provided a firm foundation upon which to builds our lives and to journey toward a kingdom of happiness and joy. Jesus is with us, he is near and desires us to share his power and goodness. This is our hope!
How easy it is to lose hope in the chaos of this world. Even with our faith and the hope it creates in us, love often seems too great a challenge.
But ADVENT invites us to remember that hope is not wishful thinking, it is the promise of God, his love for us, and our place as his beloved, his chosen. This is our hope! Celebrate that we are children of an awesome promise and of eternal life.
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