Jesus would literally be the Hope of the world. Mary had no way of knowing how that hope would be fulfilled, though the words of Simeon in Luke 2 told Mary it would not be easy for her to witness-- "A sword will pierce your own soul as well." The ultimate hope for the world would come through the pain of a sacrificial death. The expectation of eternal life came through the apparent hopelessness of death.
For this first Sunday of Advent, I wonder what hopes we are cherishing right now? If hope is based on expectation, what are we truly expecting, not just wishing for? Christmas tends to become a time of wishing, rather than hopeful expectation.
-Wishing for a particular gift, or wishing for the money to buy the "perfect" gift.
-Wishing for a change of circumstances, or wishing things wouldn't keep changing.
-Wishing for the holiday season to last, or wishing for it to be over.
But hopeful expectancy is found in Christ. We can expect that He will always love His children (2 Thessalonians 2:16). We can expect that He is always at work in our lives, making even the hard times work for His purposes (Romans 8:28). We can expect that He will cause spiritual fruit to grow in our lives as we trust in Him (Galatians 5:22-23). And one day we can expect to see Him face to face when He comes in glory (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
-In Christ, we already have the perfect gift, and we are encouraged to share it with others so that it might be multiplied.
-In Christ, we know that we are loved, accepted, and forgiven, regardless of our circumstances.
-In Christ, every day is a holy day, set apart for us to serve Him and glorify Him by using the gifts He has given us.
May this Christmas be one of growing hopefulness as we expect God to fulfill His scriptural promises in our lives!
