i've been thinking a lot lately about hope as it relates to the tribe of Israel. this theme of hope is largely present in the Psalms, expressing a deep longing for the savior of the world. as i think about what it means for the psalmist to write about hope, i'm reminded that in order to long for hope, the situation must have seemed pretty hope-less.
even today we sing so many Christmas songs that reflect Israel's watching and waiting for their messiah. but why must we sing about hope--even 2000 years after the messiah came, when we have been assured that the incarnation is real? to remind us to be hopeful!
in this way i can identify with those ancient Israelites who had been waiting for their messiah for so long that they had begun to doubt his coming. on days when i feel hopeless--about myself, about the Church, about the world--i remember this: if the ancient Israelites didn't have a perfect trusting faith all the time, then maybe i'm not so bad after all.
o come, o come, Emmanuel.
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