How to find HOPE this Advent and Christmas season

By ANDREW HANSEN 
Editor 

Hope is central to the Catholic experience of Advent and Christmas. During Advent, we as Catholics prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Jesus, embracing hope as we await and then celebrate the birth of Christ, the Light of the World, during the Christmas season. But what if you are struggling to get this hope? During these four weeks of Advent, focus on living out the following each week to refill your body, mind, and soul with the gift of hope.

Week 1 (Dec. 1): HOPE -> Humility

During Advent and Christmas, humility is a powerful way to deepen hope, drawing you closer to the heart of these seasons. Advent invites you to prepare for Christ’s coming by embracing humility, echoing Mary’s “yes” to God and her trust in His will despite uncertainties. Recognizing the need for God in your life, you can find hope in surrendering control and allowing God to guide your life. In humility, reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation — God becoming a vulnerable child in the lowly setting of a manger. This profound act of humility from Christ Himself can inspire you to let go of pride, self-sufficiency, and fear, trusting in the goodness of God’s plan. At Christmas, this humble approach can enable you to see and celebrate God’s love and faithfulness in the small, quiet moments of your life. As you follow Christ’s example of humility, discover a hope that is secure in God’s promises, one that shines brightly amid life’s challenges, just as the light of Christ broke into the world on that first Christmas night.

Week 2 (Dec. 8): HOPE -> Openness

By being open to God, you intentionally invite Him into your life. This means to surrender your worries, fears, and uncertainties, trusting that He knows what you need even better than you do. This openness enables you to see God’s hand at work in the present, fostering a deep sense of hope as you reflect on the promises He has already fulfilled through Jesus. At Christmas, this openness to God’s love and mercy brings a profound peace and joy, knowing that the same God who came humbly in the manger is always with you. By opening your heart to Him, you can be filled with a lasting hope that lights your way, reminding you that no matter the challenges you face, God’s love and faithfulness will always prevail.

Week 3 (Dec. 15): HOPE -> Prayer

Turning to prayer during Advent and Christmas will nurture a deeper sense of hope in your heart. Prayer becomes a place of connection with God, grounding you in His love and promises amid the busy and sometimes challenging days of this season. In Advent, as you await the coming of Christ, prayer allows you to quiet your heart, listen to God’s voice, and find reassurance in His presence, strengthening your hope. Through prayers of petition, gratitude, and reflection, you can place your worries, hopes, and desires into God’s hands, trusting that He listens and cares. As Christmas approaches, prayer deepens the experience of the Incarnation — the wonder of God becoming man — reminding you that God is close to you and invested in your life. Each moment spent in prayer opens your heart to the peace and joy of God’s love, helping you find hope that is rooted in Christ. In this way, prayer during Advent and Christmas becomes a source of renewed hope, helping you trust that, through every season, God is faithfully by your side.

Week 4 (Dec. 22): HOPE -> Eucharist

Receiving the Eucharist will strengthen your hope by bringing you into intimate communion with Christ, the source of all hope, who is fully present in the Eucharist. In Advent, you prepare for the arrival of Jesus, and the Eucharist allows you to experience His presence even before Christmas morning. This sacrament reassures you that God is with you, not as a distant figure but as a loving Savior who literally nourishes and sustains you. As you receive the Eucharist, you are filled with God’s grace, which will strengthen your faith in His promises and help you during life’s difficulties. This sacramental union with Christ reminds you of the depths of His love. Receiving the Eucharist will renew your hope because it is the assurance that God is continually present and active, offering you peace, strength, and guidance as you journey forward. We think about gifts all the time during this season, but the best gift, the source and summit of our faith, is the Eucharist. Jesus is waiting to feed you, live within you, and help you. Are you open to that gift?