Advent is the liturgical period leading up to the feast of Christmas.<\/p>\n
A driving dynamic of Advent is hope.\u00a0 If we had nothing to hope for,
\nthere would be no point to this season.\u00a0 The original hope was for a
\nchild to be born who would bring justice and peace to the world and
\nwho would heal the rift between humanity and God.\u00a0 But that larger
\nhope is filled with smaller ones\u2014daily hopes that can shape us as people.<\/p>\n
Some hopes will shape our relationships.\u00a0 The Christ Child grew to be a
\nman who embodied forgiveness and generosity.\u00a0 A life of hope sees
\nthe good in others, is patient with their shortcomings, and tenaciously
\nenvisions them at their best.<\/p>\n
Some hopes will shape our work.\u00a0 The promised Messiah proclaimed
\nGod\u2019s realm of justice and mercy.\u00a0 No matter what jobs we do or work
\npositions we hold, as hopeful people we maintain fairness and integrity
\nas short-term and long-term goals.\u00a0 We make our work matter for the
\ncommon good.<\/p>\n
Some hopes will shape our character.\u00a0 Jesus exemplified hope that cultivates
\ntrue freedom.\u00a0 A hopeful person cannot continue in anxiety, grasping,
\nneed for control, and habitual anger.<\/p>\n
How is hope visible in your life?
\nWhere has it failed?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
– Vinita Hampton Wright, IPS Student, Loyola Press Blogs<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Advent is the liturgical period leading up to the feast of Christmas. A driving dynamic of Advent is hope.\u00a0 If we had nothing to hope for, there would be no point to this season.\u00a0 The original hope was for a child to be born who would bring justice and peace to the world and who read more