Advent: A time of hope, lament, and victory

Today marks the second Sunday of Advent...the second candle is lit.

I grew up in Germany, where Advent (meaning "arrival") is celebrated throughout the country. It is a deeply-rooted cultural tradition as we anticipate the arrival of our Lord. The Advent season floods me with warm memories of cozy winter nights snuggling with my grandma, Christmas markets, Glühwein, Spitzbuben (my favorite cookies), and German hymnals... a wonderful time of year.

As I reflect during this season, I find myself drawn toward themes of hope, lament, and triumph. Over these four weeks of Advent, I am reading a new book called Mary's Voice by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, which offers a devotion for each day of Advent. While reading, I'm reminded not only of my own anticipation but also of the anticipation Mary must have experienced during her pregnancy. There is one thing that really stands out to me this season...let's talk about it.

Mary was pregnant with a baby who would save the world. She knew He would be the Savior, but I doubt she fully understood what that would cost her. She faced difficulty and trials during and after her pregnancy. I don't think she grasped the pain her son would endure or the depth of lament she would feel as a result.

The story of anticipation, hardship, and victory often mirrors our own lives. What I'm saying is this: often the trials and difficulties we face are the very things that bring us the most growth...the stories God uses as He brings us out of the pit and transforms them to encourage others.

Just as God graciously allowed Mary a glimpse into what was to come, He also gives us glimpses into our future, which in turn gives us a deep sense of hope. Perhaps if Mary had known what it would cost her: the torment her son would endure and the lament she would feel as a direct result...maybe she would have thrown in the towel? I often wonder how often we would give up if we knew the sacrifice and hardship required to reach our destination. The refining process (the middle part) is definitely not for the faint of heart. Most importantly, it is what we do with our stories of hardship and struggle that matters. When we don't allow them to define us but instead let them grow us, we enter the space where God can take our mess and turn it into a story of beauty.

As I reflect on my own story, the road that led me here was filled with difficulty, heartache, and uncertainty, yet it also offered a great sense of hope. The outcome of allowing yourself and your story to be transformed into a beautiful butterfly is worth it all. It is during these times, when we must trust God as we walk through hardships and trials that we grow the most. The result should always be deep personal growth, if we allow it. I'm sure Mary didn't see her son's death as a victory in the moment, yet I am hopeful she did at the time of His resurrection.. she understood looking back... isn't that usually when we also understand? In our own stories, we may not always see the victory in the moment, but it's there...sometimes faint and quiet, other times loud and clear.

During this Advent season, I am filled with hope knowing that God is Emmanuel (God with us)—we get to spend eternity with Him.

I encourage you today to reflect on what God has done and is doing in your life. Where does hope show up in your story? In what areas do you feel lament? And where does victory appear in your journey? And how are you transformed through it?

Reference
Orr-Ewing, A. (2023). Mary's Voice: Advent reflections to contemplate the coming of Christ. Worthy Books.