A still, small voice … whispers “Where is the hope?”
A circle of friends … gather, light candles and through tears, gasp “There must be hope.”
Nations of people … shake their heads and mumble “Is hope possible?”

Phrases like
… “It’s hopeless”
... “I can’t even hope that change will happen”
… “Hope doesn’t exist”
seem to be popping up in conversations, more and more lately as illness, grief, aging, politics, broken relationships, fear surface and seem to take over thoughts, feelings, perceived reality.  Hope seems to be elusive.

The four week Season of Advent begins today (to read more about the Season of Advent whose theme is ‘hope’) click   https://soulistry.com/journey-through-advent

Consider these words by Natalie Sleath “In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree. In cocoons, a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free!”   She broadens the theme of hope reminding readers that “In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be … and that “There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody … a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me,” further reminding us that “from the past will come the future, what it holds, a mystery”. 

While Natalie Sleath’s poem/song gently references belief in a Higher Power/God/Creator, even without those references, her words are a powerful reminder that there is always hope. <Natalie Sleath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpqHE84LAAw>

There have been times in my life when hope has been elusive but it’s never been gone. When I stand on my back deck and look at the evening skies, there’s something  that draws me to gaze in awe.   Not a gorgeous sunset – no birds flying overhead dotting the horizon.  Really, nothing spectacular.  And maybe that’s the wonder of it all … the hope.

In their simplicity, the slight colour differences in the sky peering through the almost-barren trees, a sense of peace and calm is portrayed and hope fills in / returns to my soul.  There is always hope.

The theme of ‘hope’ for the first week of the Season of Advent is so appropriate – and timely as are the adapted words of songwriters Jill Jackson & Sy Milleron.  Their “Let There Be Peace on Earth” words are a reminder on this First Sunday in Advent that each of us can be a part of bringing hope to our world … ““Let there be hope on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be hope on earth, the hope that was meant to be. With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow – to take each moment and live each moment in hope eternally.  Let there be hope on earth, and let it begin with me.”

May the Season of Advent be an opportunity for hope … to be welcomed
May the Season of Advent be an opportunity for hope … to be experienced
May the Season of Advent be an opportunity for hope … to be shared.

And may all be blessed with a bundle – a cupful … or even just a ‘drop’ of hope each day.   May this Season of Advent bring a blessing … a blessing of hope to our world.

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