Advent Conspiracy Advent: Week One – Hope
What Advent Conspiracy is about?
‘Advent Conspiracy’ is a book written by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder. The book has inspired many Christians to take back Christmas from the commercialistic approach of many and make the season about so much more. I highly recommend reading every year.
What is Advent, then?
Advent itself means ‘the coming’, according to dictionaries. The Advent season is intended to cause Christians to reflect on what Christmas truly is about: worshipping JESUS.
Week One – Hope
Week One of Advent is the reflection on Hope. What is Hope? Hope is a word we use a lot. We hope we will have a good day. We hope that we will get a new job. We hope that a friend gets well. What is hope, really?
According to dictionary.com, hope is: “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best”.
The recession here in America has knocked the hope out of many people.
Taking Advent to Advent Conspiracy
It is time we give hope back. We fill our lives with stuff, our time with petty things that really don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. The idea of Advent Conspiracy is to make Christmas about more. More than stressing ourselves over buying too much for people who really don’t want or need what we buy.
How about we give them hope?
How?
First, extend a hand of concern to those struggling financially. Until 6 months ago, I was unemployed for almost 2 years. I felt like none of my “working friends or family” cared. Out of all the people in my life, though, I had two friends that pushed me to keep trying. One of them prayed with me every two weeks about finding work. Another actually opened the door for me to get an interview with the company I have been working for for 6 months now.
When people struggle with finding a job, the everyday fight over money because magnified. Maybe, we could help them freshen up their resume. Maybe just socialize with them. I know during my own two year stint with unemployment, I isolated myself from any social interaction. I am so glad that my friend who prayed with me every two weeks did it over lunch at her kitchen table.
Secondly, we can give hope to the hurting. Yes, we should visit those in hospitals and send get well cards to those who are sick. More than physical illness, we need to tend to the broken-hearted and the lonely. The widow. The couple going through a miscarriage. The adult who just buried their parent. There are so many broken-hearted in the world. We must take the time to hold their hands and earnestly pray with them.
I am thankful for my friend, Ms. J, who went with me on a journey last year to the memory brick that bears my daughter’s name. I miscarried Delani at almost 12 weeks. Ms. J not only held my hand and prayed with me, but she was physically there when my husband could not be as I made that trip. Just being there for moments that can lead to healing can mean so much to one who is hurting.
Thirdly, we can give hope through our attitudes. I will not pretend that my life has been easy. I have experienced a lot of pain, physical and emotional. However, I make the choice each and every day not to let that pain be my attitude. By placing my joy in Jesus and in His Holy Word, it has opened many doors for me to be able to share my story of hope with others who are now hurting.
Will you give hope?
“My hope is built on nothing less than JESUS blood, and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on JESUS name.” (The Solid Rock, Edward Mote)
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