Hope

This morning we lit the hope candle at church.

I hope for an Advent and Christmas season in which I give more than a passing reflection on what Christ coming to earth as a vulnerable baby means.

I hope that I will make it through the holidays without eviscerating someone on Facebook for complaining that Christ’s name isn’t attached to rampant consumerism and for not knowing that the X in X-Mas is a chi which is for Christ.

I hope that I will not lose heart and plug away at the work I have for the remaining semester.

Thus I hope to keep my wits about me.

I hope that in my hoped for diligence, I won’t miss out on what is special about this time of year.

I hope that there will be a few times this December when I will see the Christmas season with childlike eyes.

I hope that EA and I will be able to celebrate Christmas in a way that our children love it, know what it is about, and truly treasure this time of year.

I hope that Jim does not do any major damage to someone’s Christmas decorations and/or tree.

I hope that I get to light a candle in a church.

I hope that I can get back into a running groove because moderation did not happen at Thanksgiving and is likely not going to happen as we head towards Christmas.

I hope that I get to see family and friends and somehow let them know what they mean to me.

I hope that I may take at least a few minutes each day to do our church’s Advent devotional.

I hope that the term “War on Christmas” is uttered as seldom as possible.

I hope that someone somewhere will watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and will be awakened to the hope in Jesus during the speech that Linus gives.

I hope for pie.

I hope that people will be moved by this time of year to help those in need and that the giving won’t stop after Christmastime passes.

I hope that I will be one of those people.

I hope that Jim will have a blast this Christmas.

Concurrently I hope that Jim will not have a life-scarring encounter with someone dressed up as Santa Claus.

I hope for peace on earth and good will towards all men and women.

I hope that the music people at our church will bust out a Christmas carol before the 25th. I know Advent is sometimes called Winter Lent, but come on: “Joy to the World” shouldn’t be reserved for just one day.

I hope to feel that joy.

I hope that my loved ones will have a wonderful Christmas.

I hope that I may see my not-so-loved ones as loved ones one day soon.

I look forward in hope to the day that God will make all things right.