At the heart of love, is hope, but without love there is no hope. The Advent and Christmas seasons begin the year anew and ground us in hope. The hope that is made possible through Emmanuel- God with Us. The hope that is made real through God doing a new thing, that the prophets have long foretold. Such as John the Baptist reminds by proclaiming, “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:5-6, NRSV). Hope is abundant in this time of year, so long as we make space for it. To come to the manger and be filled with awe and hope. To be fully present with, and for God’s beloved, and not overly caught up in the busyness of the seasons and schedules. Hope is cultivated as we gather together and meet each other where we are at, as signs of God’s love being cultivated with, for, and through God’s beloved.
Questions for Reflection:
- How might this month that is the shortest in terms of daylight hours in the northern hemisphere, bring hope?
- How might light shine in the darkness as signs of God’s hope being cultivated now today?
- What are two or three ways that you will cultivate hope this month? How will these ways bring hope to you? To others?
Suggested Hymns and Songs:
All Earth is Hopeful (ELW 266 & WOV 629)
Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn (ELW 242 & WOV 633)
Filled with Hope and Gratitude (ACS 907)
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers (ELW 244 & LBW 25)
Other Theme Considerations and Potential Connections:
- “Cultivating Hope” builds on the prior months’ themes and provides a helpful connection to the new calendar year that will be upon us at month’s end. Given all of the things (busy or not) on the calendar this month, how might this month provide a chance to cultivate hope together as God’s people?
- The December calendar includes World AIDS Day, Human Rights Day, International Migrants Day, the Advent season, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the first half of the twelve days of the Christmas season, and New Year’s Eve. It includes the longest night and shortest day of the year, and many potential opportunities for people to gather for worship both during the week and on weekends. In all of this, how might was God’s people cultivate hope with one another?
- Stay tuned for a coming suggested theme and worship guide for mid-week Advent worship services and also for a potential Longest Night and/or Blue Christmas liturgy that can be used in your faith community.
