As the people of God, this is the time of year that we celebrate Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. Through these four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, we remember that for thousands of years, God’s people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God’s salvation. They were awaiting a Savior. That’s what advent means—coming. This week we praise the Lord for the “Hope” we have in His promise.
There are 39 books in the Old Testament demonstrating the sinfulness of man before a holy God, and how God’s people put their “Hope” in the Promised One, The Messiah, that would come and save His people from their sins. A Hope based on God's promise. This kind of hope is not one that desires something good for the future – but rather expects and knows it will happen. Christmas is a celebration of this “Hope”: that the Creator of the universe, coming in the person of his Son, entered the world that he himself had made. In Jesus, God’s promise is fulfilled.
Luke 2:10-11
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Just as God’s people had Hope in the coming of a Savior, we have Hope in the now completed work of our Savior for forgiveness of sins. God’s wrath was completely appeased in Christ reconciling sinful man to God.
Now, we have full assurance (Hebrews 6:11) and steadfast confidence in our “Hope” that Christ is:
The Lamb of God who atoned our sins. (John 1)
Our High Priest Advocating on our behalf. (Hebrews 4)
Our King who deals wisely with us. (Jeremiah 23)
May we know and grow in this hope during the advent season.