Advent: A 25-Day Countdown to ChristmasSample

Wholehearted Hope

Let’s go back to two thousand years ago in the Roman province of Judea. People were low on hope and ready to give up. Their people had been steamrolled by a handful of empires, and it seemed like their story was almost finished.

Thousands of miles away, educated stargazers looked up and noticed something strange. A new star in the sky, shining brightly over Judea. We don’t know much about the stargazers (often called wise men), but we do know they came from around Babylon—the same place the Judean exiles were sent 500 years earlier.

Some scholars believe these wise men learned the stories of God from descendants of Judean exiles who remained behind.

The wise men believed the star signified the birth of a new, divine king. They hoped that if they followed the star, they would find the King. So they left home and traveled west. But they didn’t find the king in the palace or anywhere in the capital city.

So they kept following the star which moved with them on their journey, until it rested over a humble home.

Imagine what they thought when they came to the door. The wonder, awe, and disbelief at finding a divine king born in a simple town. It probably didn’t make total sense, but the evidence told them it was true.

That’s why they entered the home, bowed low, and presented kingly gifts.

To the rest of the world, the actions of the wise men might have seemed irrational, irresponsible, or naive. After all, what would you say if your friend decided to travel hundreds of miles because they saw a new star in the sky?

Hope looks risky to the people around you, but if you, like the wise men, have the wholehearted, evidence-based conviction that this baby would make the future better than the past or present, then hope makes sense.

The little child the wise men found was Jesus, along with His family. He was one child in a big world running out of hope. But even a little light can make a big difference and bring hope to countless people.

His life became a life that led people out of despair and into hope. His words and actions provided evidence that God’s plan was still moving forward.

But Jesus didn’t just tell His followers to sit back and watch while He brought hope. Instead, He called us the light of the world and a city on a hill, inviting us to be a small source of hope in a dark world.

It’s easy to feel despair, but when life gets dark, keep your eyes open and look for the light. See it in Scripture, in the generous actions of others, and by reflecting on your story. Then, you can be a light in the darkness for others as a source of wholehearted, evidence-based conviction that God is making the future better than the past or present.

Hope points us to a better future. But what about today? How do we remain strong, centered, and whole while we’re waiting for a better future? Tomorrow, we’ll start our second theme of Advent and discover how we can find peace.

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for everything You have done, are doing, and will do. Please help me to put my faith and hope in You today and every day. Thank You for sending Your Son so I can have hope and salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

What are some examples of God’s faithfulness in your past? Where is God moving in your life now? What do you hope God will do in and through you in the future? For more on finding hope, check out this article.