Advent: December 1

Every single year, I am reminded of how deeply I need the hope of Advent. And this year, even with the expectant joy of a baby girl joining us soon, I have still realized how much I need the hope of Advent.

I needed the hope of Advent when I sat in the emergency room this summer, wondering if our baby had a heartbeat. I needed the hope of Advent during the many weeks when my fears of losing another baby robbed me of the joy of carrying this one. I needed the hope of Advent every single day: on the days when our world even seemed scary to bring a child into, on the days when I couldn't stop comparing myself to those who felt good enough to lift weights while pregnant (I really don't even do that when not pregnant), and on the many days when I just wanted to wrap this thing up and have my baby in my arms.

From the worst news we seemed to keep hearing in 2023 to the best news of our family growing, the past two years have repeatedly shown me that there is no better news than the coming of Christ. Advent gives us hope for days with no tragedy and no pain, the hope of reuniting with the babies we never got to hold and the loved ones we greatly miss, and the hope of no phone calls with bad news. At the same time, Advent gives us hope for days even better than the ones we dream of: the first time we hear a baby's heartbeat, the first moment we feel our baby's kicks, and what feels like the first time we've heard good news from the doctor.

Only a year filled with both so much joy and so much fear could have taught me of the deep gift of Advent. Christ's coming gives us hope for the worst days, the best days, and every single day in between. This is not just good news for December days when halls are decked and garland is hung, but for every second in the life of a believer: because Advent means that Jesus is with us.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). – Matthew 1:23

Tim Keller said, "The doctrine is this: God comes in. He comes incarnate, he comes in our flesh. He comes into our humanity, into our vulnerability, into our history, into our reality. God comes in.” This is the great news of Advent, the ultimate thrill of hope: that God is with us.

He is with us when we mourn. He is with us when we fear losing our greatest gifts. He is with us when we feel confused. He is with us when we rejoice. He is with us on the days when we just long for heaven.

Advent isn't just hope for Christmas morning. It wasn't just hope for Bethlehem. It's hope for today and for tomorrow. It's hope for the 32-week pregnant mom longing to hold her baby girl, it's hope for the weary new mom, it's hope for the empty nester, and it's hope for the one longing to be a mom. It's hope for the overworked, the unemployed, and the one praying for a new job. It's hope for the one feeling merry and the one desperately longing to be married and the one whose marriage is hanging by a thread. Why is that? Because He is with us.

The story of Advent ended neither in a manger nor on a cross. It does not start on December 1st and draw to a close when the Christmas decor ascends to the attic. On our best days, on our worst days, and every day in between, Advent reminds us of the thrill of hope that only Christ could bring. There's no greater gift this Advent than the hope of all of our days being redeemed.

He has come, He is coming again, and in the meantime, He is with us!