December 6, 2025

Paul grounds Christian hope in Scripture, community, and Christ himself. Hope is not vague optimism; it is the endurance born from God’s promises. Advent hope is anchored in the long memory of God’s faithfulness across generations. The stories of the past teach us how to wait in the present.

But Paul also imagines a community where Jew and Gentile glorify God together. God’s dream is not uniformity but harmony. Hope becomes visible when people who normally stay separate begin to embrace one another. Advent helps us practice that kind of welcome—receiving one another as Christ has received us.

Reflection Question:
Where might God be inviting you to extend welcome as an act of hope?