Sunday marked the start of Advent, a Latin word meaning “coming.” It refers to the coming of Christ, either as a baby at Christmas, or as Saviour and Judge at his return.

A repeated theme during Advent is hope. But what is hope?

My son and I were brainstorming things we hope for. We hope for a friend to get better. We hope to beat the other team at hockey. We hope for nice presents, peppermint and world peace!

We settled on this definition: Hope is knowing that better is coming.

Christ is coming. “For to us a child is born… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The passage of time can put a squeeze on our hope. Cynicism is so much more prevalent and popular. That’s why we need to remember that Advent isn’t just a season, it’s a gift from God and a corrective frame of mind.

Hope is real. He has a name—Jesus.

Are you a person of hope? Maybe it’s time to let the secret out.

Hope is knowing that better is coming.

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Notes:

—Podcast Bible Study. My latest episode is an in-depth, line-by-line look at the final chapter of the book of Hebrews. Like parting words to a child as they head off to college for the first time, Hebrews 13 reads like important farewell instructions for living life well even when it’s hard. Tune in to The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan in iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or TuneIn, or simply click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.