Advent: Hope

An Unhurried Hallow:  Hope

“We are so attached to…our fast, experiential, adrenaline-addicted culture
that we confidently call physical spikes energy and spiritual spikes inspiration.”
~ABC, The Sacred Slow, p. 3~

And in the early morning,
while it was still dark,
He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place,
and was praying there.
~James 4:8~

What am I looking for? I thought, as the blank screen gawked at me and the dark reaches of morning yawned awake. My soul had been feeling clouded for some time, weary of wrestling with my wounds and weaknesses. Where am I going with this? My mind felt like it was following an aimless track of footprints and my heart as if it was emotionally flatlining. In the bleak season of a clouded soul, it’s tempting to seek a quick fix to jumpstart us out of spiritual lethargy.

But the “Lord calls for our burdens, would not have us wrestle with them ourselves, but roll them over on Him…the desires that are breathed forth in prayer are…the very unloading of the heart” (Robert Leighton, Joy & Strength, p. 34). He would have us cultivate kindness, disengage from the disappointments, and not be consumed by the chaos that threatens to loom over us in the barrage of this culture’s noises. He beckons that we approach this Advent season as an invitation to the manger scene:  come toward the crèche and allow ourselves to be wrapped in the wonder of the babe who is wrapped in swaddling clothes.

From the Latin adventus, Advent implies a coming or arrival, a preparation of our hearts as we remember how the Light of the World arrived into our world of darkness. Counter to the imperial marching of a commander preparing his army, our spirits are stirred to rise in the early embrace of dawn’s first light, drawing near to the hope that is represented in the manger.

“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem.
May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.”
~Pope Francis~

Amidst the darkness, we can prepare our hearts to believe there is hope for our broken humanity and believe our hurting circumstances can find repose in the reconciliation that Jesus offers. Old Testament prophecies ignite that hope in the hearts of humanity.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: 
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son…”
~Isaiah 7:14~

“The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.”
~Psalm 93:1~

In the tradition of the Advent wreath, we light a purple candle. Because purple dye was vastly expensive due to the painstaking task of procuring the color from sea snail secretions, only the wealthy could afford purple material, thereby establishing the color as a symbol of royalty.

So as we light our purple candle on this first week of Advent, may we be reminded to press pause and meditate on our eternal hope despite the bleakness and darkness that threatens to snuff it out.

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
~Henri Nouwen~