Finding Your Way to Bethlehem: Hope
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness…For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 2,6-7 CSB
Science fiction has a way of becoming reality. NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently stuck in space on the International Space Station due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft which returned to Earth without them. In June, they arrived at the space station for a week’s assignment but are now lost in space. Technically they are not lost since NASA communicates daily with them but they are still unable to return home.
“Darling, very little on this planet makes sense, by Earth’s standard.” These words of wisdom were spoken by John Robinson, the leader of the Robinson family who found themselves lost in space. One of my favorite shows growing up was Lost in Space. For those who are not familiar with this great TV series, it featured the Robinson family who became lost due to the evil actions of Dr. Zachary Smith, an agent for an enemy government who sabotaged the mission. Unfortunately, in reprogramming the ship’s robot he became trapped on board and became hopelessly lost, joining the fight for survival with the others as they tried to find their way back home.
Very little made sense on earth after evil reprogrammed God’s plan at creation. Yet God wasn’t lost in what to do and began His work to correct the problem. Written on the pages of the Old Testament is God doing only what He can do, redeeming a broken world. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:28-31a NIV)
The ultimate story of salvation found its way to Bethlehem as our ultimate story of salvation still finds its way to Bethlehem. As we enter this season of Advent our hearts and minds turn toward Bethlehem where hope is found in fullness. This week’s candle lights the candle of hope.
The world defines hope as something to desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or to be true. Hope’s synonyms include words such as wish, aspire, consider, dream, try, ponder, and endeavor. These are all words with a maybe mindset.
As we light the hope candle, it is not with a maybe mindset but with a mindset that is based upon the rock-solid promise of God. Hope is a confident expectation that supernaturally stems from faith. As we find our way to Bethlehem we encounter a hope that carries no doubt. The Advent season is a time to slow down and refocus on finding our way to Bethlehem. Finding hope because of what God did for us.
What Advent doesn’t let us do is simply hold a baby Jesus in our arms and go about our daily lives without addressing our need for a Savior. Advent allows us a time for waiting, expectation, and preparation for what God wants to do in our lives. “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:5 NLT)
J.B. Phillips wrote a small book over 70 years ago titled Your God Is Too Small. He writes in his introductory remarks, “Many men and women today are living, often with inner dissatisfaction, without any faith in God at all. This is not because they are particularly wicked or selfish or, as the old-fashioned would say, “godless,” but because they have not found with their adult minds a God big enough to “account for” life, big enough to “fit in with” the new scientific age, big enough to command their highest admiration and respect, and consequently their willing cooperation.”
The Robinson family never found their way back to Earth and the TV series ended with them lost in space. NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth sometime in 2025. The question for all of us is, will we find our way back to Bethlehem? Will we stop somewhere during this busy season to simply reflect upon the promises of God and the fulfillment of those promises in Jesus?
Traveling with small children means every parent has been bombarded with the words, “Are we almost there”? Over and over we answer the question with, “We are almost there”. Christmas is the answer God gives to all of us when we ask, “Are we almost there”?
Michael Smith wrote a beautiful song, Almost There. The song ends with the words,
“You’re almost where your journey ends
Where death will die and life begins
The answered prayer, Emmanuel
You’re almost there.”
I trust you find in this Advent season special times as you find your way to Bethlehem.
God is great!