Hope Has a Name

The Advent season is upon us! It is always wonderful to celebrate the arrival of our Lord Jesus!.  He is infinitely good in what he has done by relinquishing his glory for a lowly state on our behalf!  The first aspect of Advent that we celebrate is hope.

We have hope!  We have a great hope! Our hope is found in Jesus.  I love the song, “Hope has a name” Sometimes we get down in our situations and our circumstances.  It happens and will happen if it hasn’t yet.  That is the plight of living in a fallen world.  But those who trust in Jesus have a hope.  That hope is found in the name of Jesus. 

Paul talks to the people of Rome in a letter telling them that hope does not disappoint.  Hope does not fail.  Hope does not falter.  This is because Paul says, “the love of God is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us.”  God has given us his Spirit.  He says this in response to talking about trials and tribulations.  He says that the struggles we encounter produce perseverance and perseverance, hope, and this hope does not disappoint.  He wants to remind us that because of God’s Spirit given to us we can overcome trials and know that there is a purpose behind the struggles and hardships we endure.  What an encouragement!

I think what is important to remember in this hope is that this is exactly what Jesus has done in his arrival to earth.  When he came, he endured trials, struggles, hardships, and pain.  He did this so that we might have hope.  The hope that doesn’t disappoint by the power of the Holy Spirit, was brought to us by the death of Christ on the cross.  Our hope is found through his hardship.  And this hardship is our redemption.  It is also an example for us to follow as we have hardships. We can remember the glory that comes through every hardship that we face. 

But we got to remember this one thing. This hope would not have happened if Jesus would not have been born. So in this season, let us be reminded of the coming of our rich savior to a lowly state.  Our King on a throne to a spot in a manger. 

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6