I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit.
Psalm 16:7-10
In this Advent reflection I would like you to think about “Hope”. I have an old saying to consider. “Hope Springs Eternal”. In these difficult times we really want this to be true. We hope for wonderful holidays. We hope for a better year next year. We hope that our families and our friends remain healthy. I doubt that a day goes by that we don’t say out loud or in our hearts “I hope—-“
I have another saying to pass on to you. “Where there is light. there is hope”. Let’s consider light. The sun gives us the most light. There is something about a sunny day that makes us feel good and gives us hope. But there are cloudy days and rainy days so maybe we don’t feel so good, but we continue to have hope. Sooner or later the sun shines again. And then there is night which at this time of the year comes too early. But the night is often filled with stars and a beautiful moon. They don’t give us as much light as the sun, but their beauty does give us hope.
Consider the Wisemen. They followed a star, and they had no idea where that star was leading them. But the light of that star gave them “hope” and it led them to a King. He was a baby, but they believed he was a king.
How about the angel that appeared to the shepherds? It scared the shepherds because here was a bright light that appeared to them as they were watching their flocks at night. What could that be? But the angel told them not to be afraid because he brought them great news. I’m sure they “hoped” it was something good. So, they went to find out just what it was! And they found a baby, a very important baby, born in a stable. At least they “hoped” he was important. And he was!
So my hope for you this Christmas is that you keep Hope eternally alive in your hearts and that all of the lights of the season and the lights in the sky remind you to keep Hoping for the blessings God has promised you.
Ann C,
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