Hope that soars
It’s Advent, the time of waiting and preparing for Christmas, for Christ’s birth. Traditionally, each week of Advent carries a particular perspective, leaning into one characteristic of faith which is essential to the Christian life. This first week of Advent claims the word “hope.” Hope is more than the name of an amazing soccer player; it’s a posture that allows us to live both in the present and the future at the same time. Hope names the truth that there is something more, something better, something bigger than the circumstances or realities of this moment.
While many followers of Jesus wear a cross around their necks, I often wear bird necklaces. They partly remind me of the Holy Spirit, often depicted as a dove, but even more they remind me to anchor myself in hope. What does a bird have to do with hope, you ask? Well, it’s because of Emily Dickinson, who wrote:
Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
Dickinson’s poem helps me to hear this sometimes quiet song, which warms us, which never stops at all, persisting through everything. Hope sings, through the gales and storms, holding onto goodness that might not yet be known. Hope is bigger than optimism, but leans into this unknown future, where untold healing and life is possible, with our commitment to it and through God’s persistence in bringing it about.
Often, we think of hope as something passive. But hope, as a posture, helps us not only to keep our heads up when the storms of life bash us from various corners, but it allows us to keep walking, to keep daring to live out God’s way of love in the world, even when it seems useless or ridiculous or impossible. A thing with feathers is meant to fly.
The prophet Isaiah said, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faith.” (Isaiah 40:31). That thing with feathers is a songbird and an eagle.
Deborah Lamp
You always have the best messages. Hope has a strong meaning for me also. 😘
Norm Mest
Thanks Sarah…
You always have a well thought out and prepared message !
Emily Dickinson no less !!
Sheila Mesick
Thank you for bringing the image of the songbird singing it’s song of hope.