Hope of All the Earth
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. -Romans 8:22-25, NIV
The first theme of Advent is Hope. And it makes sense because the Advent of Jesus is our hope. His return is what we wait for patiently (or sometimes impatiently). Paul in the above Romans 8 passage includes all of creation in this hopeful expectation: when Jesus comes, “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21). Crazy to think what it will be like to be in the New Heaven and New Earth when all is brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. What does a tree look like in freedom and glory? Or an ocean? Or a whale? How wild and wonderful that existence will be! And that is our hope, at least the outworking of it. Our hope itself is Jesus’ return; from His second advent all this goodness and light and life will flow. And so, we wait eagerly with longing hearts and inward groans. Our prayers join all those Christ followers who’ve gone before us, “Come, Lord Jesus!” And, if we listen, we will hear Jesus’ last words, “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Rev. 22:20b) And every hopeful heart says, “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”
The music of Advent is a cherished part of this time of year. I am a traditionalist when it comes to this season. I know and enjoy a good bit of ‘modern’ Christian music for Advent as well, I am just a sucker for the old-fashioned carols. Here is one such song, particularly fitting to the theme of hope. If you would rather read the lyrics, here they are as penned by Charles Wesley in 1744.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see Thee
Day-spring from on high, appear.
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,
Of Thy birth, we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing
News, glad tidings of a birth;
“Go to Him your praises bringing
Christ the Lord has come to earth!”
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end.
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.