Highs and Lows

 Personal reflections on Advent: Hope
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 2:1-20

 

Life is full of highs and lows!

 

For the past several years, I’ve been making an annual list of my own personal “highs and lows”. Typically, a high might include a vacation or singing in choir or visiting friends or family. Whereas, a low could include losing a job or putting our kitty down.

 

In the year of 2020, the number of lows is significantly more than the highs. On a macro scale, my lows include the COVID pandemic, racial unrest and a contentious presidential race. On a more personal level, my wife had a stroke; I had reconstructive foot surgery; and a decades-long family friend passed away.

 

Indeed, 2020 has been a tough year for all of us. And now we come to the Christmas season. Earlier in the fall, I noticed Christmas trees and outdoor decorations going up; maybe in an effort to change the momentum of the year.

 

But truthfully, can the “HO, HO, HO” of Santa Clause bring you true hope? Can the melodious voice of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, bring you lasting hope? Can buying and wrapping presents for your children, grandchildren or spouse bring you hope that endures?

 

Mary found true hope that first Christmas. She must have experienced some profound highs and lows in that season of her life. Read about her response to the shepherds.

 

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.        NIV

 

True hope starts with the baby in the manger, continues with the man dying on the cross and culminates with the empty tomb. Maybe in the year of 2020, with all the craziness and chaos, we can find and experience the true hope of Christmas now and throughout the year.