Hope

Unemployment Benefits that had been extended up to 99 weeks started running out Wednesday. Unless Congress approves a longer extension, the Labor Department estimates about 2 million people will be cut off by Christmas. – Tom Breen, chicagotribune.com (Dec. 1, 2010)

As many of you know I am a school counselor at an alternative school in North Vernon, IN. We have a Work One, an organization that helps people find employment next to our school. On Friday, one of the consultants from this organization warned us that Monday may be very busy. On Monday morning many people are losing their unemployment. This news came on the heels of watching Thursday Night Football, where Deion Sanders talked about Michael Vick and his return to football after prison. Deion mentioned how Michael Vick brought hope to the field.


I began to read the Advent passages from this week and I was surrounded by the events of unemployment and Michael Vick bringing hope to the football field. No matter what your opinion is concerning unemployment benefits, Monday is going to come and people are going to lose everything. People have relied on the government and the government is saying “Enough.” According to this article from the Chicago Tribune, Christmas will be a very sad season for many people in our communities. I ask myself, what is the role of the Church during these uncertain times? What about the role of people who call themselves Christians? How do we respond? Unemployment is a real issue. Our society seems to be so starved for hope that we have to find it on a football field. We cannot take away the pain of this world, but we can bring hope. What is our role this Christmas season?


Romans 15:13 says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Early church knew a thing or two about tough times. Persecution was something followers of Christ experienced every day. The Early church did not have security or safety and they feared for their life daily. How did they respond? They responded with love, gathered together, and gave to anyone who had a need. The Early church knew where their hope was found and they lived it. Their comfort and peace were found in Christ.


On the Second Week of Advent let’s pray that God help us to remember where hope is found. Let Him help us to find strength when we cannot go on, comfort when we feel alone, and peace in the Christ child who was born to transform the world. 


For a lot of people this year will be a very difficult Christmas season and maybe we can provide for someone who is in need. Maybe this year we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to make a difference.