The Wonder of Advent: The Wonder of Hope
”Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,” says the King James Version of the beginning of Jeremiah 33. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord….” The word “Behold” is fun to say. Look to your neighbor and say, “Behold!”
When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking out in the desert along the Jordan where John was baptizing, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” – John 1: 29. And the next day when he sees Jesus again, he says, “Behold the Lamb of God!” – John 1: 36. “Behold,” was enough to convince John’s followers to start following Jesus.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus says to the seven Churches, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” – Revelation 3: 21. Behold, Jesus is constantly knocking and anyone that opens the door, Jesus will come in and be with them.
The story is told of one of those children’s Christmas pageants. One little girl was supposed to deliver the angel’s message, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” Except, she couldn’t get past the first word. She forgot her lines. So she just said “Behold!” over and over again. With every “Behold,” she kept the audience on alert to what would happen next.
“Behold…..Behold…..Behold,” Was there going to be good tidings of great joy or not?
The word “Behold” invites us to pause, reflect, and pay attention to the significant moments in our lives, especially where God is at work. Behold encourages us to not just hear but also perceive or comprehend deeply. “Behold” is like a spiritual highlighter. It signals that what is about to be said or shown is important and deserves full attention. It is like when the world is falling apart, and we don’t see a way out, the Prophet of God suddenly shows up and says, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord.”
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, turns into Jeremiah, the prophet of hope, for a people in despair. The armies of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, are advancing on Jerusalem. The streets will soon be filled with the corpses of her people. Jeremiah’s message is a warning to his people of the impending judgment of God due to Judah’s unfaithfulness to the covenant and the social injustices they have acted upon one another.
The unfaithfulness of Judah has opened the door to the forces of death, destruction, and chaos. The tragedy of the Babylonian exile is the end of the Davidic dynasty. For nearly four hundred years, descendants of David had occupied the throne of David. The Lord promised David through the prophet Nathan, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” – 2 Samuel 7:16. Babylon will destroy David’s city, burn down Solomon’s temple, and take the heirs to the throne into exile. The promises of God appear to be coming to an end.
Some of you know what it is like to question God’s promises. The person who has lost everything they have worked for in foreclosure knows the despair of broken dreams. Someone who struggles with chronic illness can doubt God’s concern for the suffering. A parent whose prayers go unanswered for their prodigal son or daughter feels God ignores them. Someone pursuing a dream opportunity keeps getting let down and feels they will never get a chance to prove themselves. A widow sitting in loneliness feels forgotten, a child who is abused, or a spouse who is cheated on all feel that God has walked out on them. Someone who has strayed from their faith wonders if they’ve disqualified themselves from God’s grace.
What do we do when it feels like God’s promises in our lives are ending? Listen for the word “Behold!” Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, is a sign that God is about to do something new.
In the darkness, a light breaks in. In despair, hope erupts. Jeremiah says that new life is springing up from what looks like a dead stump. God assures God’s people that they are not forgotten. The promise of a “righteous branch” from David’s line points to a future leader who will embody justice and righteousness. It is a message that foreshadows the coming Messiah, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise.
As we begin this Advent season, “Behold” is the word that draws us into the mystery of what God is doing. It invites us to pause, pay attention, and open our hearts to God’s promises. Advent reminds us that God is always at work, fulfilling His promises even in our waiting, our struggles, and our doubts.
We begin Advent with a word of hope. It is a time to behold the promises of God, even when life feels uncertain or broken. Jeremiah’s words to a people in exile remind us that God is always at work, even when His promises seem distant. The promise of a righteous Branch, a Savior, was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah, and it reminds us today that God’s hope is never extinguished.
Jeremiah spoke to a people whose world was falling apart, yet he pointed to a future where justice, righteousness, and peace would reign. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. His birth, life, death, and resurrection prove God’s faithfulness does not falter.
We, too, can behold this promise in the face of our despair. Advent invites us to see that hope has already come in Jesus and is still coming as we await His return.
As we begin this season of Advent, I ask you to reflect on the question, “In what areas of your life do you need to reclaim hope?” Put a name to the situation in your life where you need hope. Put a name to a situation that has you on the edge of despair.
As we begin this Advent season, we are reminded that hope is not just a concept—it is a person. Hope has a name, and His name is Jesus. Jesus is the light that breaks into our darkness, the Savior who meets us in our despair, and the King who reigns with justice and righteousness.
Today, you may be carrying hopeless situations—brokenness, pain, or unanswered questions. But Advent declares this truth: God’s promises never fail. Just as the people of Judah were not forgotten, neither are you. The same God who sent Jesus into the world to bring salvation is here now, ready to meet you, to restore you, and to give you hope.
“Behold, Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock. I will come in if anyone hears my voice and opens the door to their life.” Jesus is inviting you to let Him in—to bring Him your doubts, your fears, and your broken dreams. He offers you His presence, His peace, and the promise of new life. The question is: Will you open the door?
As we prepare to take Communion, this is your moment to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Behold, a table set with food paid for with the ultimate cost – the life of Jesus. It is out of his brokenness that we are given life, and out of his life that was poured out, that we have a new beginning.
Behold, the Savior has come, is coming, and is here with us today—and He is here for you. Amen.
Pastor Jamey
(Click Here to Watch the Worship Service from Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia)
Questions to Consider:
- When you face fear or uncertainty, how do you remind yourself of the peace and security found in Christ? How can you share this peace with others around you?
- Can you share a time when you saw God fulfill a promise in your life or someone else’s? How does this impact your trust in God for the future?
- When you examine your daily actions and decisions, do you feel they reflect Christ’s justice and righteousness? Where do you see opportunities to grow in aligning with His character?
Prayer:
Lord, as we journey through Advent, may we walk as people of hope, proclaiming Your promises and sharing the light of Christ with the world. Be glorified in our lives as we commit ourselves to You today. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and King, we pray. Amen.
Benediction:
Go now into this season of Advent with hearts full of hope. Behold the promises of God, for they are sure and steadfast. While waiting, trust that the light of Christ is breaking into your darkness. Amen.
Jamey Prickett 