The Hope of Advent in a Dark World

In a world determined to create chaos, division, and spread hate, it has never ceased to amaze me how early commercialism extorts the meaning of Advent. I am not ready to see Christmas sitting next to August’s back-to-school, October’s jack-o’-lanterns, or November’s turkeys, but alas, here we are.

How do we hold the true meanings of Advent and the hope provided by it in a dark, overly commercialized world?

I think we do that by separating commercialism from it. We must take the time to remember the message of Advent—Christ has come. He is present. And most importantly. He will come again.

Light in the Darkness

Every generation from the Old Testament commented on the darkness in this world. Back then, hope lay in the promise of a coming Messiah. By contrast, each generation of the modern era has felt like the second coming could arrive at any time.

Why is that? I think it’s because darkness has always been a factor in the world.

The prophet Isaiah foretold of Jesus’ birth: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV). “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, NIV).

Jesus’s birth, the first Advent, was the fulfillment of the promise. With His birth, He brought hope and light itself to the dark world. In fact, in John 12:46, NIV, Jesus Himself tells us so. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

As anxiety-inducing as the world is, we can still remember and embrace this hope because Jesus’s light is an active force.

Many earthly woes thrive in darkness, including, for example, despair, guilt, and fear. The light, by comparison, offers a future that transcends our earthly troubles, forgiveness, and new life, while promising unconditional love.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the security of Christian hope, emphasizing that nothing —whether earthly or spiritual —can extinguish it.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus or Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV).

At the heart of Advent hope in our dark world is assurance. Whether it is political turmoil, pandemic anxiety, or personal grief, we need to remember that these elements are temporary and limited.

Preparing Our Heart

Preparing our hearts to receive the message of Advent is what Advent is really all about.

The question remains: How do we prepare ourselves to welcome the light of Jesus and the hope of Advent again, and again? Advent is an annual invitation, not just to remember a historical event, but to re-experience the coming of Christ.

This preparation requires intention. Intention in our time spent in the Word of God and in prayer. This can be done simply. My family, for instance, enjoys reading the book of Luke during December. One chapter a day leads us through Jesus’s birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection by Christmas Eve.

We also really enjoy watching movies. The Star is an excellent choice, especially if you are watching with children.

There are three steps to preparing our hearts during Advent— embrace the discipline of waiting and patience, clear the way through repentance and alignment, and cultivate active love and service.

Romans 8:25 NIV tells us, “If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Preparing our hearts begins with creating space for silence and reflection. This means that during the holidays, when it feels like the noise of the world takes over, we sometimes need to take time to be with Jesus and the Scriptures intentionally.

John the Baptist’s message centered on preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah discusses him too—”A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain” (Isaiah 40:3-4, NIV).

When we spend time in the scriptures, we can, through prayer, reframe the darkness we see in the world by shining Jesus’s light through concepts like humility, forgiveness, and love. All of which facilitate experiencing hope.

As part of our preparations, we are meant to reflect Jesus’s light by showing His love to and for others. The anticipation toward Advent compels us to move toward Jesus’s light. This ultimately opens us up to welcoming His light again and again, even in a world overwrought in darkness.

Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

It is no secret that we live in dark times, but regardless, the coming of Christ still breaks through the world’s darkness. We prepare our hearts to welcome His light again and again by connecting his entry into the world as a baby in a manger to His growth as our King who lived and died for our sins to establish His kingdom fully.

Celebrating Advent grounds us in this eternal truth. It’s meant to remind us that, no matter how intense the present darkness may be, God’s divine promise has already been set in motion. This season grants us the opportunity to create space in our hearts for Christ’s light and reflect that light to show His enduring love and promises to our neighbors.

I encourage you to celebrate Advent in the ways that are most authentic to you, whether that means lighting candles, reading scripture, using calendars, or spending time with your family.

In the meantime, friend, know that you are loved and prayed for. Merry Christmas!