Hope | Advent 2020

Throughout the Christmas season each year, one of my favorite Christmas carols rings out a beautiful reminder, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . . .”

The advent of Jesus—His arrival—brought an unrivaled hope to all the world. His birth ushered in the bright, hope-filled dawn of a new day!

In first-century Palestine, God’s people were weary, discouraged, weighed down by a dark world. They hoped for an answer to their struggles, provision for their needs. Maybe we feel a touch of that same sentiment this Christmas?

By nature, we look to someone, something, anything in which to place our hope. But a celebrity, a leader, author, pastor, friend, or even we, ourselves, cannot bear the burden of being the answer of hope in this hour.

When we welcome the Messiah King into the inner realm of our souls, He joyfully steps in. He also is the answer to our physical sickness, relational issues, and financial needs. He delights to bring hope into our season, into this hour and moment in time. Catherine Marshall put it so well, "God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope."

What are you facing today? For what do you need a greater hope? I’d like to encourage you with a message Paul wrote to his beloved Roman brothers and sisters in the Lord: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Dear one, we need hope that floods our soul through the power of the Holy Spirit! Let us choose to trust Jesus, the One sent from the right hand of the Father, who left the comforts of Heaven to be our hope here in the messy middle of our suffering and pain. He is here for you and me today, for our loved ones, our neighbors, for one and all who need a greater hope in this aching, reeling world.

May you overflow with His hope by the power of the Holy Spirit this Christmas season! A hurting world may notice and open their hearts for Him—the hope of the world.

KAY BURNETT is national director of AG Women.