Advent 2025 - Hope

11/30/2025

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing… so that you may abound in hope.”

As we have already identified, the first Sunday of Advent celebrates hope. Advent begins in solitude – in waiting, longing, and looking for light.  Hope is not denial of darkness; it is the stubborn, Spirit-born confidence that God’s light has already dawned in Christ and will one day banish the darkness completely. In a world that often settles for wishful thinking, the Bible offers a hope that is solid, anchored in God and the birth of Jesus.

Biblical hope is “confident expectation” grounded in who God is and what He has done, not a vague wish that things might improve, as the world teaches. In Psalm 130:7 we read, “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.”

1 Peter 1:3 tells us that hope is secured specifically in Jesus: believers are “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because Christ has been raised as the “first fruits,” our future soul’s resurrection and final restoration are not just possibilities but are certainties in God’s hands.

Hope has power because it reinterprets suffering in the light of God’s future, rather than letting suffering define our story. Paul writes in Romans 5:3–5 that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope,” and that this hope “does not put us to shame” because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Hope does not erase pain, but it does keep pain from having the last word. Hope says that present troubles, no matter how heavy, are “not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed” says Romans 8:18, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The Book of Revelation tells us that ultimately God Himself will dwell with His people, wipe every tear from their eyes, and bring an end to death, mourning, crying, and pain. It is all going to be ok. This is the confident expectation.

1 Corinthians 13:13 inseparably binds hope with faith and love: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Faith trusts the God who promises; hope eagerly anticipates the certain future He guarantees; love is the active embodiment of both through patient service, kindness, and perseverance. Biblical hope is faith stretched into the future tense – a confident expectation of God’s unbreakable promises, while faith is the present, unshakeable trust assuring their fulfillment. Along with love, these two fuel our resolve amid trials and obedient action today, transforming passive waiting into empowered living.

The world often uses “hope” as a synonym for “wish” – a fragile optimism based on circumstances. When health fails, finances crumble, or relationships dissolve, worldly hope tends to collapse and disappoint because it is based upon things that change easily and are unpredictable. Biblical hope, by contrast, rests on the unchanging character of God, who is called “the God of hope,” and on the finished work of Jesus, whose name means, “God saves.”

Therefore, through Christ, we can face suffering and evil without losing hope. Even in times of chaos and doubt, we are called to hope in God, in the Lord’s steadfast love, not in our own strength or circumstances. Psalm 39:7 says it this way, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”  Hope is not the denial of reality; it is the conviction that God’s reality is deeper and more lasting than anything the world offers.

Hope is both a gift of grace and a virtue that can be cultivated. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you… so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Hope is portrayed as the work of Spirit, yet other verses reveal ways to deepen hope. Romans 15: 4 teaches, “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that through the endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” When we face persecution or doubt, Scripture is not an ancient relic but a living tool fueling resilient hope today. In a world that normalizes cynicism and despair, hope is a counter-cultural stance. Hope resists the pressures of the world.

Hope grows when it becomes something we practice, not just something we feel occasionally. Here are concrete daily ways to cultivate it. First, let us shift our focus and thoughts. Begin and end the day naming at least three things we are grateful for; gratitude gently trains our mind to notice God’s goodness and future possibilities instead of only problems. When we catch ourselves in hopeless or catastrophic thoughts, pause and reframe those thoughts: “What small good is still possible here? What might God yet do?” This kind of thought retraining is a way to increase hope.

Mindfulness offers a powerful way to root ourselves in the present while fostering hope for the future. By taking time each day to reflect on what inspires us, we can create space for positive thoughts to grow. Whether it is through journaling, meditation, or another form of reflection, mindfulness helps us focus on the positive possibilities ahead. Start a “Hope Jar.” Each day, write down one hopeful thought or moment of gratitude and place it in the jar. On difficult days, we revisit these notes to remind ourselves of those moments. Try simple breathing exercises. Inhale deeply for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. As we breathe, visualize a positive outcome we are working toward.

Second, we can pray and immerse ourselves in Scripture and other positive media. We can start the day with a prayer: “Lord, increase my hope in You,” and bring specific worries to Him rather than just carrying them mentally. We can meditate regularly on personalized hope-filled passages such as Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” We can let God’s promises, not our feelings, define what is true.

Another way to develop hope is through connection. Both as physical and spiritual beings, we are made to connect. Let us spend regular time with hopeful, encouraging people, and limit exposure to voices that are persistently cynical or despairing. We can practice simple acts of kindness – check on a neighbor, send a note, serve at church or in the community. Hope is strengthened in community – when we gather, sing, pray, and encourage one another, we embody hope together.

Not surprisingly, being around nature helps our mental state and opens us to hope. Water has a unique ability to refresh and inspire and promote a sense of calm and hope. Author and marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols describes ‘Blue Mind’ as,”… a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life, in the moment.” Research suggests that simply being near water can lower stress levels and improve overall well-being. This is one reason Mary and I are drawn to Monterey and sitting by the ocean.

And of course there is also a “Green Mind,” or a meditative state achieved through ‘forest bathing,’ or shinrin-yoku, which reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, boosts mood, immunity, and induces a calm like Blue Mind’s serene focus. So, embrace the “Blue and Green Mind” of Nature for elevated mental well-being and a doorway to hope.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is my prayer that in this first week of Advent, we light within our hearts the candle of hope – not a vague optimism, but a confident expectation of God’s unwavering love amid fragile times. Growing in hope involves immersing the mind and heart in God’s promises, praying honestly whether in lament or joy, and believing in God’s good plans for us. Spiritual hope is a gift that says, “I trust God’s future more than my present fear.” Unlike passive wishes, true hope pairs trust with personal empowerment and willpower. As the old song states, "Hope springs anew and fires the heart of all children of God." I pray that we allow hope to ignite our hearts, and step boldly into the eternal dawn of Christ’s love.