Hope in the Waiting: The Prophetic Call of Advent

Advent is a season of expectation, a time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. But as we step into this sacred season, we must ask: What does it mean to wait? What does it mean to hope?

The first Sunday of Advent at Bostwick Lake Congregational UCC invited us to reflect on these questions through the prophetic words of Jeremiah and the urgent message of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. These scriptures remind us that hope is not passive; it is active, courageous, and deeply rooted in trust—especially in the face of uncertainty.

Jeremiah’s Prophecy: Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty

The prophet Jeremiah lived in a time of political turmoil, destruction, and exile. The Kingdom of Judah was falling, the Babylonians were preparing to take Jerusalem, and the future looked bleak. Yet, in the middle of this chaos and fear, Jeremiah proclaimed hope: a righteous leader would come, justice would be restored, and God’s promises would not be broken.

This was not a hollow optimism. Jeremiah wasn’t ignoring the reality of suffering—he acknowledged it. But his prophecy was not about escape; it was about endurance. It was a reminder that God is present even in the waiting, even in the struggle.

The same is true for us today. We often think of hope as something fragile, something we hold onto when we are desperate. But biblical hope is different—it is an active trust in God’s faithfulness, a confidence that God is working even when we cannot see it.

Jesus’ Call to Watch and Wait

In Luke 21, Jesus warns his disciples that difficult times will come. He speaks of wars, disasters, and uncertainty, but his message is not one of fear—it is one of readiness.

Advent is often seen as a season of comfort, with lights, warm traditions, and joyful songs. But the Gospel reminds us that Advent is also a time of spiritual awakening. Jesus calls us to watch, to listen, and to stay alert—not out of fear, but out of anticipation for God’s presence breaking into our world.

How often do we miss the signs of God’s presence because we are too weighed down by our own concerns?

• We get distracted by worry. Jesus warns against hearts that are weighed down. Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty can blind us to the ways God is already at work.
• We get caught up in the temporary. The world tells us to chase after comfort, success, or security. But Jesus reminds us to focus on what is eternal, on what truly matters.
• We think we have to wait passively. Biblical hope is active. It is a commitment to trust, to prepare, and to participate in God’s unfolding story.

Advent isn’t just about looking forward to something that will happen in the future. It is about recognizing that God is already moving, already present, already here.

Hope Is Already Here

Both Jeremiah and Jesus teach us that hope is not wishful thinking—it is a way of living.

• Hope is trusting that God is at work, even when we don’t see the outcome.
• Hope is choosing faith over fear, even when the world feels uncertain.
• Hope is staying awake, staying present, and actively preparing our hearts.

As we light the first candle of Advent, the Candle of Hope, we do so knowing that Christ has come, Christ is present, and Christ will come again.

Advent invites us into expectant hope, not just in the sense of waiting, but in the sense of trusting, listening, and preparing our hearts for the ways God is moving—even now.

Where is God calling you to see hope today? How will you watch, listen, and trust in this season of waiting?

This Advent, may we embrace the waiting, not as a burden, but as a sacred invitation. May we watch for God’s presence. May we trust that God’s promises never fail. May we step forward in hope, knowing that the light of Christ is already shining.