During the Thanksgiving season as I watched a television commercial from a local jeweler, I marveled at the ingenuity of the offer. Those in the area who are unemployed or facing financial difficulty were invited to receive a free pendant with a tiny diamond that represents hope. Recipients were encouraged to keep up their hope for improvements in the economy and in their individual financial situation. The commercial also said that there were (this might be slightly off) 1200 pendants available but only several hundred had been claimed. Maybe those to whom the offer is made are reluctant to accept because there might be an obligation attached to the offer. I’m guessing; since in offers like this one, there is usually something tying you into acceptance or there is pressure to purchase an item .
I thought to myself, we offer hope to people every day of the year, in every season of life as the church has and continues to offer the hope of eternal life. This hope does not fade; this hope does not lose its value. This hope is sure, for the work of Jesus of Nazareth in redeeming the creation was done once, and for all.
We simply have to accept this offer, which comes to us as a gift, the gift of redemption. And the completed work of redemption began with the birth of the tiny baby in the town of Bethlehem, whose birthday we are preparing to celebrate in this season of Advent.
Not only do we celebrate this pivotal birthday, an event in history, we also eagerly anticipate the birth of the new creation as the Christ spirit is birthed in humanity. This second coming that we look forward to is the genesis for our hope. And this hope does not just restrict itself to improvements in the economy, but to every single aspect of our lives in this world, and the next.
This Christ whose birth we celebrate and rebirth we anticipate, is truly worthy of hope. I sing along with the hymn writer Edward Mote of UMH 368 “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.” Enjoy the celebration. Delight in the anticipation.
Accept the gift of hope and eternal life, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16, NIV)
Blessings,
Pastor Laurel