Weekly Virtue: Hope

As we enter the second week of Advent, let us stop and think of what we have to look forward to in these upcoming weeks. We are preparing for family events and Christmas parties. We are baking cookies and shopping, wrapping presents and sending Christmas lists. We are addressing Christmas cards to send and checking our mailbox for new cards we have received. We are getting ready for one of the greatest days of the year. But let us stop and be honest with ourselves, what feelings do we have? Are we feeling excitement? Stress? Happiness? Frustration? Are we overwhelmed? Or are we feeling hopeful?

Hope is to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true. Hope is having faith, feeling joy and great trust. Hope is a feeling of calming and peace.

There are three theological virtues; faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love, but that does not mean hope is not also important. Hope is the power to trust in God and God's promises above all else.

In the Gospel this week from Matthew. John the Baptist talks about preparing the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. He talks about how he is baptizing you with water, for repentance but the one who is coming after is much mightier. The one to come will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was not telling the people in words of comfort that the one who is coming is so much greater than he. He was telling them in words of strength and power and authority. He was telling them in words to awaken them and have them repent. He was wanting to fill them with fear and at the same time I believe hope. Hope that the one to come was so much more than we are worthy of.

As we think of the approaching weeks, let us put or focus and feelings back where they need to be. Let us put Jesus' birth at the forefront of our planning and lists. Let us remember while this is one of the greatest days of the year. Let us also think of Mary. Let us think of all the feelings she must be going through as she prepares for the arrival of her only child. The child that the angels told her would save the world. I think Mary may have been overwhelmed and scared but I believe that she was filled with so much hope. Hope with the complete trust in God and God's promises above all else.

Let us fill our hearts with Hope this advent season.