There is something magical about putting together a “wish
list.” You can let your imagination run wild, think of all the things you like
to do and how the right accessory or piece of equipment or item of clothing
would magnify your pleasure. Even if you consider that the someone who will be
doing the shopping is on a budget, you’re never quite sure how generous they may
be feeling; so it’s not that hard to throw constraint to wind and put something
on your list that is particularly outlandish.
But wishes are just that: trial balloons you send up
to see what might come to you if you open your hands wide enough and leave them
out long enough…and maybe, put on a pouty face every now and then for good
measure. While there may be a high correlation between what is on your “wish
list” and what you find under the tree on Christmas morning, as you mature you
begin to understand that there is more at work than your wishes. Indeed, wishes
have very limited power.
While the shopping season may be fueled by “wish
lists,” Advent is a season for contemplating hope. There may have been a time
when you didn’t draw any distinction between “making a wish” and “being filled
with hope.” Faith teaches us that hope has the power to sustain and transform—a
power that wishes never have.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu replied to someone’s
question about Nelson Mandela: “Was he a saint? Not if a saint is entirely
flawless. I believe he was saintly because he inspired others powerfully and
revealed in his character, transparently, many of God’s attributes of goodness:
compassion, concern for others, desire for peace, forgiveness and
reconciliation.”
I believe Nelson Mandela revealed God’s attributes
because he was a man who was filled with hope. That is what gave him great
power over his enemies even while they had him locked up in prison. That is
what led him to practice reconciliation once he was released. Hope informed his
life and transformed a nation.
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
