“Star of wonder, star of night, Guide us to thy perfect light…” As we eagerly await Christmas, look up to the stars. Get lost in the wonder and pray to the One who created them. Each day in Advent, enjoy a reflection from a Saint Luke friend, as they too look up to the sky and ponder the names used in the Bible for Jesus. May their reflections be a gift to you this Christmas as we seek God together.
Today’s reflection is from Morgan Miller.
OUR HOPE
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope…”- 1 Timothy 1:1
The word “Hope” brings images of positive promises but usually stems from the backbone of doubt or fear.
We don’t hope because we know. We hope because we don’t know.
There are daily unknowns and uncertainties, but we have the choice to add hope into our lives. If there was no hope we would be entirely stuck – awaiting the next worry or anxiety and going nowhere, fast.
But then enters Jesus our Hope.
Hope, is a form of faith in motion. For someone who has a hard time sitting still, I love motion. Jesus provides us this forward momentum. With hope we don't have to dwell on the past, ruminate on negative people or experiences, and we don’t have to remain stationary. Mary and Joseph had hope in their hearts, which carried them through to Bethlehem. Assurance of faith, hope, and love drive the Christmas Story; from the shepherds, to the wisemen, to the angels.
Jesus is hope in things unknown. He provides forward physical motion along our journey, or positive change of perspective, along our journey. What an amazing God who is always there no matter where we are. This ability to take up hope in our crazy world is a comfort to hold on to.
So during this advent season of waiting and preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus, I meditate on all the things I hope for in this world; what I hope for in my life, for my relationships with loved ones, and peace of the world. I don’t have a certainty and I don’t know the outcome, but I will choose to have Hope propelling me forward, with Jesus in my heart.
Dear God, during this Advent season allow us to rely on Jesus our Hope, to keep our faith in motion, so we can treat each circumstance and each person we encounter with hope and love. Trusting in God, Amen.