We all need some hope in our lives. People look for hope in different places. One place to look is the Gospel. During the few weeks into Christmas we celebrate the season of Advent. The season of Advent is often called the season of hope. So what kind of hope does Advent offer us?
Advent is clear that no matter what we are going through, no matter what difficulties and problems we are dealing with, things will eventually get better. Sooner or later things will improve. There is a brighter future. According to Advent, God will see to it that the good will win out, that light will dispel the darkness, that rough ground will become smooth. The reason for this hope is the utter fidelity of God. God is faithful to His creation, especially to His people. God is not going to abandon what God has created and redeemed. The coming of Jesus into the world is proof of that.
Advent also reminds us that we do in fact already possess a treasure. This treasure is not a treasure made of silver and gold. It is the treasure of love and it is to be found inside us. Inside us there is a Presence living and loving. This Presence is the Presence of Unconditional Love. Because of it we do not need to look for happiness in things outside ourselves, in things like possessions and work and the approval of other people. Because of it we can love ourselves as we are and grow in self-worth. The greatest love of all is to be found inside. Advent invites us to look for it there without fear.
According to Advent another source of hope is in fact our dependency. We must be willing to seek and accept the help of others, including the help of Jesus. Going it alone and attempting to sort out our problems by ourselves does not work. This is called self-sufficiency and it is a form of pride. We need others and they need us. We also need Jesus. There is something liberating about our willingness to acknowledge that we are helpless and powerless. This is the foundation of the AA recovery programme. It is also the basis for creating real community between people. And perhaps this is what we need more than anything else as we face the future – a recovery of the sense of community. We are here to look after each other, not just to look after ourselves. When our lives are built around genuine care and concern for others then there is always hope.