by Desiree Bustamante

Advent reminds us that hope came in the birth of Jesus for all the world.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.

For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!”
Isaiah 9:2,6 & 7 New Living Translation

Every autumn brings change and decay as trees become bare branches, and all of nature prepares for a long winter. The world seeks hope more than ever before to survive the decay and devastation happening every day—abuse of power, war, poverty, human trafficking, addictions—and these issues and more can make hope seem futile and produce fear and anxiety in our hearts.

We probably have felt what it’s like to live without real hope. The chaos that swirls in our minds is overwhelming as we try to grasp anything that might give us an anchor.

Fortunately, we know the unchanging nature of God. When sin entered the world, He promised to send a Redeemer to save us, and He kept that promise with the birth of His only Son. We can cling to the hope found in Christ. That hope brings light to our souls, quiets our anxious hearts, and steadies our minds even in the darkest of days.

Jesus was promised to us. Jesus was born for us. Jesus redeemed us. Jesus will return for us. Hold on to that precious and profound hope every day.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado