A Year of Sundays: Week 1

Sunday 1: The First Sunday of Advent

The church calendar begins with the season of Advent, and on the first Sunday of Advent we reflect on hope. Advent focuses on the coming of Christ, when He came to earth as a baby, as well as his second coming, when He will return in glory. So, what does it mean to start the year with hope?

Several years ago my family drove from Los Angeles to Minneapolis on vacation. As we made our way through Wyoming, we came to an especially long stretch of nothingness. We turned left off the already small main road and onto an even smaller road that ran between two farms. The GPS chimed, "Continue straight for 100 miles." After what felt like forever, we turned right and the GPS chimed, "Continue straight for 50 miles." Unease replaced my typical sense of direction. I knew where I was going, but I had no idea where I was. I really hoped my directions were right.

When Jesus told His disciples about His coming death, He told them that He was going to prepare a place for them where they would join Him. He finished by saying:

"You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:4-6, NIV)

Much like my drive through Wyoming, the disciples were going into unfamiliar territory, and I believe Thomas' question was really one of hope. He was asking, how do we have hope? Many of us are asking God that same question today.  The directions made no sense; how do I have hope?

How do I have hope in my sadness?

How do I have hope through this loss?

How do I have hope through this rejection?

How do I have hope through this darkness?

And much like He answered Thomas, Jesus is saying to us: I am hope. Hope is knowing this road will not last forever, but the Way is eternal.






To read more about Advent, check out my 2020 reflections: 33 DAYS AND COUNTING.