The reason for the season: Pt. 1
by: Rev. Mike Schultz, Pastor of Mother's Home FWB Church

It's that time of year again. For those of you who may not be aware, the four weeks proceeding Christmas is commonly referred to on the Church calendar as the season of Advent. It is that time of year that reflectsback upon the first coming of Christ in a manger in Bethlehem a little over 2000 years ago and looks forward in anticipation towards His second coming and return, which quite frankly if you read the papers or watch the news, could be and day now.

Each week - that is each Sunday leading up to Christmas - reflectsupon a certain biblical, spiritual theme and/or Christ-like characteristic. And although these themes may vary within Christ's Church, often they are manifested in four key principles of the Christian faith - Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

This week, let us consider Hope. I think it is safe to say that as we pick up a newspaper or watch a news program on a daily basis, it appears that we live in a very hopeless world. It seems that every day brings us another story about another soldier dying in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, another terrorist threat from Al-Quida, $4.00 a gallon gas, another missing child or spouse, another corrupt political figure, another social experiment gone terribly wrong, among so many other things. Each new day seems to on the surface, bring us a greater sense of a world spiraling out of control with no hope in sight.

But yet, on the other hand, let us not forget that this is nothing new. It has been said that we study history in order to keep from repeating the mistakes of history, and yet at the same time, for some reason, history so often repeats itself. And as hopeless as the world appears to be today, in many ways it was just as hopeless a world 2000 years ago.

Rome was the main superpower on the planet. And although the Romans can be credited with much of the technological advances of the first century, they were constantly at war. Ironically, many of the technological advances that they enjoyed, came as result of ... you guessed it, war. Sound familiar?

Nevertheless, each new day brought about a new opportunity for another land to conquer, people to oppress, and expansion of an empire. The Jews knew of this conquering oppression all too well.

Morally and ethically the world was a mess. Much of the same types of sin and debauchery that we experience today were experienced, believe it or not, in much worse ways back then. Political strife was rampant. Instead of just posting negative advertisements against one's political foe in the available media, it was nothing to have one's political rival "taken out" of the equation (if you know what I mean. . .).

Economically, the rich were getting richer and the poor were getting . . . you know how it goes. In the beginning of the Roman Empire, religious tolerance and diversity were the norm, at least until Christianity came to the forefront a few years after the resurrection. And then all bets were off. Or should I say, it was "off with the Christian's heads!"

And yet, this was the world in which Jesus entered into the first time. And in doing so, he brought about the first glimpses of real hope. And it wasn't the type of hope in which one "hopes" to win the lottery or "hopes" that their favorite sports team wins another championship. But it is the type of hope that is grounded in the eternal promises of an Almighty, sovereign God. And as such, you can rest assured that whatever it is, it is going to come to pass.

The first coming of Christ brought the hope that one day, there would be an eternal, "just" kingdom that knew no borders - physically, racially, nationally, denominationally, or economically. The first coming of Christ ushered in the hope that one day, all of humanity would bow before a holy, just, merciful and gracious ruler who takes care of all of his people. The first coming of Jesus brought the hope that one day, there would be no need to be concerned or worried about money or lack thereof, for all of our needs would be met by God's omnipotent, provisional hand.

Ultimately, the first coming of Christ brought the hope that there would come a day where humanity would once and for all be spiritually reconciled both with itself and with its Creator. And that path to spiritual healing and reconciliation began at the cross of Calvary, continued in the resurrection, ascension, and proclamation of the gospel, and will come to fruition in the second coming of Jesus some day soon.

This is the hope that we as God's people possess. And may we never forget that the second coming of Christ is closer today than it was yesterday, and it will be even closer tomorrow (assuming there is one) than it is today. May we watch, be ready, and remain ever hopeful. "Even so, come [quickly] Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20)