The Paradox of Hope
The anticipation builds. There is expectation in the air. The moment we have all been waiting for is almost here. Each year this special season brings a time of hope and expectation. Children are on their “best” behavior to reduce the risk of finding coal in their stockings. Adults are rushing to prepare for guests, fancy meals, festive celebrations, and reconnecting with loved ones. Yet, in the rush to be ready for Christmas it is likely that we miss the opportunities brought by the waiting season of Advent.
Advent is a period of reflection, a time to take stock. In its essence it is a season of hope - hope that the world in its brokenness can be transformed. The term Advent is defined as “a coming into place, an arrival.” It is the realization that all is not as it could be or should be with the world, but one is coming who can and will put things right.
Within our Christian hope lies a paradox. As Wendell Berry writes:
“…it seems, indeed, that we cannot know of hope without knowing of despair, just as we know joy precisely to the extent that we know sorrow.”[1]
The hymn writer captures this tension well when he writes:
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth. The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”[2]
The tension between what the world is experiencing now and what is realized in the coming of the Messiah is palpable. The proper response when the Savior is realized is to “fall on our knees” in thanks and wonder.
The encouragement for us, in the paradox of hope within pain, is to not ignore the weariness that is experienced or overlook the “sin and error” evident in the world around us. Those realities help us to appreciate and fully celebrate the transformation that comes in the Christ child.
As we recognize both the hurt and the hope that is our world, we have opportunities to alleviate some of the hurt others experience while sharing the hope we have that comes with knowing Jesus. There are two opportunities to share our hope during Advent at RPC. Visit our Advent Giving Trees to fulfill specific needs of our neighbors and/or contribute to the Children’s Christmas Fund, which provides resources for children served by our mission partners around the world. You can read all about how to contribute on our website at www.roswellpres.org/serve.
[1] Berry, Wendell. What Are People For? Washington, D.C.: Counterpoint, 2010. P. 62.
[2] O Holy Night: composed by Adolphe Adam 1847.
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Dan Kreiss, RPC’s Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach, brings with him a heart for service and a diverse array of experiences in the mission field. Be sure to subscribe to the Mission Outreach Blog to read and follow along as he documents his personal journey and shares his vision for RPC’s mission outreach commitment. Along with providing meaningful resources, this blog will help jumpstart the important conversations our church community must be having about missional living.
Dan Kreiss
Rev. Dr. Dan Kreiss is the Associate Pastor for Mission Outreach at RPC. Dan is particularly passionate about encouraging the church to reflect the diversity found in its surrounding community in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, education and economic status.