Advent is the season leading up to the birth of Christ. During this season Christians are called to enter a posture of hopeful anticipation as they re-enter the long-expected arrival of the Messiah. This is a season of hope—a season where we experience the power of anticipation. But Advent is not unique to the Christmas season. And hope is not merely a driver for religious people. The truth is, we are all narrative creatures living with desired outcomes (“hopes”) and, whether we see it or not, these hopes are the engines that drive our lives.
To demonstrate the everyday power of hope, imagine, if you will, two general managers working identically challenging jobs. Everything about their two jobs matches: They both work the same seventy-plus hour shifts with little time off; they manage an identically difficult group of employees; they experience the exact same level of high pressure from their district managers. In short, they are stuck in identically challenging work. But now, let’s add one difference. Imagine the first manager is told that at the end of the year, they will receive fifty thousand dollars in compensation, and the second manager is told they will receive fifty million in compensation. The two have identical circumstances but very different anticipated futures. How might this change their work?
Given this scenario, the two managers would likely have very different experiences regarding their identical circumstances. The first manager would likely struggle far more. This might be reflected in a temptation to be short with difficult employees, a lack of motivation to enforce details of company policy or an ambivalence towards the details of managerial responsibility. In fact, it is not inconceivable the first manager would quit before the year is up. In contrast, is the second manager. Again, despite having the exact same circumstances, this manager would likely approach the job quite differently. They would likely show up on time and work extra hard to stay on top of their details; they would likely seek to manage difficult employees with directness and tact; and they might even be caught whistling while they work!
“Paul knew hope was a decisive feature for a fruitful life. ”
This above thought exercise demonstrates the power of hope to transform the way we experience the present. Hope is an incredible predictor of how we engage our daily lives. This is why Peter spoke of believers being born again to “a living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3). Their anticipated future had the power to take on a life of its own—animating a distinct way they engaged the circumstances of their lives. Indeed, the Apostle Paul knew first-hand the power of hope. A priority in his prayers for the Ephesian Christians is that the eyes of their hearts would be awakened to “the hope to which he has called you” (Eph. 1:16-18). Paul knew hope was a decisive feature for a fruitful life.
During Advent, we anticipate the birth of Christ. But Christmas is not the only Advent Christians are called to anticipate. Fourth century theologian, Cyril of Jerusalem identifies a hope we are called to inhabit all year long:
We preach not one advent only of Christ, but a second also, far more glorious than the former [...] In His first coming, He endured the cross, despising its shame; in His second, He comes with a host of angels, receiving glory. We rest not upon His first advent only but look for His second.
“Indeed, the entire Christian life is one of hopeful anticipation of the arrival of Christ.”
According to Cyril, Advent is not merely for the Christmas season. Indeed, the entire Christian life is one of hopeful anticipation of the arrival of Christ. Said another way, a Christian is called to a believed-in-future that radically transforms the way they experience the present; namely, an anticipation of Christ’s second arrival such that we are led “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).
Note that hope is not merely “wishful thinking” but a confident assurance about a future event that transforms our present circumstances—including difficult circumstances at work. Paul acknowledged so much when he charged the Colossians, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” As we engage our work this Advent season may we do so as those awaiting Christ’s second Advent: working as those who—regardless of our earthly employers and compensation—have been promised an unimaginable reward.
Let earth receive her King!
Robert Covolo is a Cultural Theologian and Author of Fashion Theology. He is also on staff here at the Center for Faith + Work Los Angeles, serving as our Director of Vocational Discipleship.