The Hope of Advent

What do you hope for?  The idea of hope seems to be a vital part of what it means to be human in this world.  In many narratives throughout history, the realty of being "hopeless" seems to be the worst possible scenario.  Hope is something that we look toward, especially in times of great distress.  Hope is something that is not greatly impressed by our present struggle, though it has a great impression upon us.  Hope is not something that presently exists, but it is something that a person believes will be fulfilled in the future.  Therefore, to hope is to live as though the reality being hoped for already exists!  During Advent season, the church is called to think upon the reality of Jesus' birth, hopefully.  But, why hope?  What has Jesus, this baby in a manger, done to elicit this hopeful response?  N.T. Wright in his book "The Challenge of Jesus" (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999) has succinctly and powerfully noted that...

"Jesus announced that the moment had come, that God was at last becoming King in the way he had always intended.  This was the end of exile, the defeat of evil, the return of YHWH to Zion.  Very well; the first thing to say is that this happened in Jesus.  God did indeed accomplish it.  The foundation has been laid.  The garden has been planted.  The musical score is written.  The principalities and powers that kept us in exile have been defeated; they need reminding of this, and we need reminding of it too, but it is a fact (if it isn't, the cross was a failure).  Our task is now to build the house, to tend the garden, to play the score.  The human race has been in exile; exile from the garden, shut out of the house, bombarded with noise instead of music.  Our task is to announce in deed and word that the exile is over, to enact the symbols that speak of healing and forgiveness, to act boldly in God's world in the power of the Spirit." (185)

The hope of Advent is not just that of the nostalgic memories of a baby, nor is it the future escapist longing of a Kingly judge settling the score.  To think on either of these poles would be to cheapen the reality and glory of this season.  The hope of Advent is the reality of the Christ; His birth, life, death, resurrection, and sending of the Holy Spirit.  The Hope of Advent is active, living as though the first coming of Jesus really happened, and he in fact, did what he said he was going to do.  He really did set up God's kingdom on earth, making all things new and finishing the work of redemption.  If we are to truly understand this Advent hope, then we must live as though God is in charges of things, at this very moment, and in this very place.  We must long for the day when the fullness of this present reality will be known by all.  It is Advent season; hear your words, contemplate your thoughts, observe your actions, what do you hope for?