Brave, Beautiful Hope: An Advent Reflection

As a little girl, I hoped Santa was real. I hoped he really knew what I longed for and would fulfill it. But I was left wanting with hopes rooted in fables. 

Are you weary? Are you searching to rekindle your hope?

We all need hope like a sparkle in a child’s eyes, drinking in the twinkling Christmas tree. 

The problem is, like when I was little, that we’re looking for hope in the wrong places. 

We’ve been let down. We’ve received heart-wrenching news. We’ve been discouraged and hurt. Let’s admit that 2025 has been rife with some hard stuff. Darkness has been pressing in and trying to stifle us. But is it foolish to hope? 

No, it’s brave. 

This week marks the beginning of the Advent season, with the theme of HOPE. 

What if we could return to beautiful hope this Christmas season? 

Our hope is not in our circumstances, emotions, or outcomes. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. The Father knew we’d be walking in darkness, without hope of saving ourselves. That is why Jesus came to earth. As Savor and Lord, he knows and fulfills every need we have and is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). How comforting is it to anchor our hope in his unchanging character? 

An Advent Prayer and Reflection to Rekindle Brave, Beautiful Hope

Pray: Lord, help me to see your hope in the midst of hard. Open up my heart and give me ears to hear your hope and truth as I reflect. Let me hope in you, Jesus, and you alone. In your name I pray, amen. 

• What is heavy on your heart going into 2026? 
• Where have you seen the Lord come through for you in 2025? 
• Considering your previous response, did things turn out the way you had expected? How was it different? Better or worse? Were you surprised? 
  
• How is the Lord prompting you to rekindle hope for 2026, now reflecting on God’s faithfulness to you this year? 
  
• Lastly, what are your brave hopes for 2026? 

10 Advent Verses for Hope

These 10 Advent Bible verses are gathered together with a theme of light overcoming darkness. We can root our hope in promises like these about Christ being our Light and that his Light is in us as believers. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. – Isaiah 9:2

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. – Luke 2:9

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:4-5

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. – Revelation 21:23 

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. – Ephesians 5:8 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105

Related Links

Looking for more hope? Read my devotional: Waiting on God? Me too. This Hope is for Us. 

Do you struggle to settle your heart and feel God’s peace? This may encourage you: Unpacking Anxiety with Jesus and 10 Verses for an Anxious Heart