Luke 1:26-38
Are We Ready for Hope?
As we celebrate the message of hope during the Advent season, we must ask ourselves: Are we ready to accept hope? When hope finds us, will we respond as Mary did?
Mary, a young girl from an insignificant town called Nazareth, was chosen by God to bring the Savior into the world. Nazareth was an unremarkable, underdeveloped place, often dismissed by others. It was famously asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
Despite her humble beginnings and lack of status, Mary was highly favored by God. She embraced hope with faith and courage, even when the circumstances seemed improbable.
Hope is a choice.
It is often found in the most unexpected places and people. Consider the story of Mary, who at first was troubled and questioned the angel’s message. Yet, she ultimately accepted hope and trusted God’s plan.
I’ve witnessed the mixture of hope and hopelessness in hospital waiting rooms.
I visit people in hospitals, and one of the places where I often sense a mixture of hope and hopelessness is in the hospital waiting rooms.
Many people sit there, filled with hope, especially those waiting for a loved one to undergo surgery or a medical procedure. They cling to the belief that everything will go well. Yet, in the same space, others feel hopeless, burdened by uncertainty and fear for their loved ones.
These waiting rooms are truly places of contrast—hope and hopelessness coexisting side by side. Most people are hopeful, trusting that the surgery or procedure will be successful. For pastors, this environment calls for a special role: to encourage and strengthen their hope during these challenging moments.
Hope is something we must choose to embrace. Even in the same circumstances, people can respond differently. Some choose to see the glass as half full, while others see it as half empty. This perspective shapes how they approach life and its challenges.
In the same way, when faced with uncertain situations, Mary chose to accept hope. Her decision to trust and believe is an example for us all to find strength in hope, even when life seems uncertain.
In these moments, hope becomes a lifeline for many. It strengthens us, gives us purpose, and allows us to look beyond our circumstances.
Hope Is Not Circumstantial
The birth of Jesus Christ teaches us that hope is not dependent on our immediate circumstances but on our trust in God. Even in the face of adversity, hope enables us to look toward a future filled with promise.
Paul encourages us in Romans 12:12 to “rejoice in hope.” Hope is powerful enough to transcend our challenges, as seen in Abraham’s story. Despite being 75 years old and waiting 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham hoped against all odds.
Hope Requires Patience and Trust
Waiting is an integral part of hope. Just as expectant parents wait nine months for the birth of a child, hope often involves a period of preparation and anticipation.
In Psalm 130, the psalmist sings, "I wait for the Lord, more than Watchmen wait for the morning."
Imagine the role of a watchman during the night—a difficult task, staying vigilant and guarding through the darkness. They long for the break of dawn, anticipating the morning sunlight that signifies the end of their tiring duty and the chance to rest. They eagerly await the light that dispels the darkness.
Similarly, the psalmist expresses a deep yearning for the Lord, surpassing even the longing of a weary watchman for morning. This vivid imagery paints a picture of hopeful anticipation, a waiting that trusts in the certainty of God’s arrival and presence.
Consider the watchman during the final hours of the night—standing at his post, drowsy yet hopeful, knowing the sunrise is inevitable. His anticipation mirrors our own as we await the appearance of the Son, who brings freedom and light to a world shadowed by despair.
Hope is central to our faith. It is what we believe about the future. Hope gives us purpose, direction, and security, even in the face of a seemingly hopeless world.
Let us, like the psalmist, wait with expectation for the Lord, trusting that His light will always break through the darkest of nights.
Even in the animal kingdom, we see examples of extended waiting periods, such as the elephant’s 18-month gestation or the salamander’s 36-month cycle. Yet, every period of waiting culminates in something beautiful and meaningful.
Hope Is Rooted in Grace, Not Merit
Mary’s selection as the mother of Jesus was not based on her merits. She had no status, education, or worldly accomplishments. Yet, God chose her because of His grace. Similarly, hope is a gift of grace that is not contingent on our achievements.
Faith in the Midst of Doubts
Hope does not mean the absence of questions or doubts. Mary asked, “How will this be?” Faith allows us to trust God even when we don’t have all the answers. Like relying on a GPS, we trust in God’s guidance because of His proven faithfulness.
Paul says in Romans, "Rejoice in hope." People who have hope will always be happy. On the other hand, those without hope will not be happy. Can you think of anyone who doesn't have hope and is happy? They will likely be miserable. What is there to live for if you don't have hope in your life? Hope is a powerful gift that God has given us.
Hope Against Hope
The Bible speaks about hope, particularly about "hoping against hope." In Romans chapter 12, Paul continues to say that hope is powerful enough that we can hope against all odds in our lives, even when there is no human evidence to support it. This concept of "hoping against hope" is exemplified in the life of Abraham.
The Example of Abraham
Abraham was 75 years old when God's angel appeared to him and told him he would be the father of a baby. At 75, this seemed impossible, and for 25 years, he waited. Even when he turned 100, his wife Sarah was in her 90s, and they had lost all hope of having a child. But despite this, we read in Scripture that Abraham "hoped against all hope" that he would be the father of many nations. In the 100th year of his life, God gave him the promised son.
The Role of Waiting in Hope
Sometimes, we think we have to wait a long time for our hopes to be fulfilled. But waiting is part of anything good. For example, when a baby is to be born, how long do you wait? Nine months. Some people, impatient to wait, may try to bring the baby early. But the waiting period is necessary for growth and development.
While human beings wait only nine months for a baby, there are creatures like elephants that have a 18-month conception period, and even salamanders, whose conception period is 36 months! So, we are fortunate to wait only nine months for a baby.
The Importance of Waiting for God's Fulfillment
Waiting is a part of everything good, including God's fulfillment of His promises. We are asked to hope against hope, even when our immediate circumstances don't give us any reason to hope. We can still hope because we have a God who provides hope in the midst of hopeless circumstances.
Hope is to be shared
As people of God, we are called to be ambassadors of hope. Whether in our workplaces, schools, or communities, we must share the hope that comes from trusting in a living God.
A friend of mine shared this personal story with me. Back when he was in college and shortly after graduating, he wasn’t a stellar student. Though he managed to graduate, his grades weren’t great enough to secure a good job. So, he and a friend decided to drive his old car from Georgia to the West Coast in hopes of finding work.
They set off with high hopes, but after reaching the West Coast, they couldn’t find any opportunities. Someone then suggested they try New York. Determined, they turned around and started the long journey to New York in the same old car.
While driving, one of the car’s tires blew out. My friend didn’t have much money, but he managed to scrape together enough to withdraw some cash from an ATM and get the tire fixed. They continued on their way, but as they reached the New Jersey Turnpike, another tire blew—this time in the middle of heavy traffic.
This second breakdown left them stranded. They had very little money left in the bank account, probably less than 10% of what they started with. Not knowing what else to do, they pulled over and spent the night in the car.
The next morning, something urged my friend to check his ATM account, even though he was certain there wouldn’t be any money. To his surprise, when he checked, there was $200 deposited in his account.
He couldn’t understand what had happened. Later, he managed to call his dad to ask about it. Back then, there were no cell phones, so he called from a public phone.
His dad explained: “One day, I was at the ATM withdrawing some money, and I decided to check your account since we had a joint account. I noticed you only had six dollars, and I remembered you were on the road. I figured you might need help, so I deposited some money.”
A father who cared for his son stepped in at the perfect moment to provide what was needed. If an earthly father can show this much love and concern, how much more will our Heavenly Father care for us in our times of need?
Hope is to be lived
Let us be like Mary, who said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
As we anticipate the coming of Christ, let us remember that hope is eternal. It sustains us in this life and assures us of life beyond the grave. Let us instill hope in others and celebrate the good news of peace, love, and salvation brought to us through Jesus Christ.
May God bless these words and fill our hearts with hope this Advent season. Amen.
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