The year is drawing to a close, and for many, 2025 will be remembered as a year marked by profound hardship. Across the globe, conflict, tragedy, and economic strain have cast a long shadow, leaving countless individuals feeling overwhelmed and disheartened.
In times like these, it’s easy to succumb to despair, to focus on the darkness and lose sight of hope. Yet, hope isn’t merely a wishful sentiment; it’s a powerful force, especially resonant during this season of Advent, a time of expectant waiting.
The first candle lit on the Advent wreath, often called the “hope” candle, also bears another name: the Prophet’s Candle. This acknowledges the enduring patience of those who came before, the Old Testament prophets who steadfastly awaited the arrival of a Messiah, even amidst suffering.
Their stories remind us that true hope isn’t naive optimism, but a resilient belief in a future that *will* be realized. It’s a conviction that light will ultimately triumph over darkness, a truth that echoes through generations.
Consider the simple power of a single candle flame. Research shows that a human eye can detect its glow from over 1.7 miles away. A small light, bravely facing immense darkness, is a potent symbol.
It’s the very presence of darkness that amplifies the brilliance of the light. Similarly, hope shines brightest when surrounded by adversity. As the Apostle John wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Acknowledging the difficulties of this year is vital, but so is recognizing the countless ways hope has already manifested. God’s presence has been felt in acts of kindness, resilience, and unwavering faith.
However, hope isn’t a passive expectation. We are called to actively participate in bringing about the kingdom of heaven on earth, to embody hope through tangible acts of love and service.
This means loving our neighbors, providing for the hungry, and caring for the sick. It means becoming, as one graduate poetically expressed, “vessels of hope” – living embodiments of a brighter future.
This principle is beautifully illustrated at the Elevate apartments in California, where individuals experiencing homelessness are offered not just shelter, but a foundation for rebuilding their lives – personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Across the world, the Ein Habesor Sports Complex in Israel stands as another testament to this active hope. Built through the collaborative efforts of thousands, it provides a safe haven for a community devastated by recent attacks.
These are just glimpses of the transformative power unleashed when people choose to be instruments of hope, to mend what is broken and offer solace in a world desperately in need of healing.
The hope of a Messiah isn’t confined to a single season; it’s a daily reality, proven time and again through acts of compassion and courage. We are invited to reflect the light of Jesus Christ, the ultimate embodiment of hope.
Through Him, we can persevere in the face of evil, offering light in the darkness and working for the good of all. This isn’t just a call for Advent; it’s a lifelong invitation to live as beacons of hope in a world that needs it now more than ever.
