Stand Up and Raise Your Heads
Prayer for Illumination
In the law and the prophets, You have revealed Your will and wisdom; in Jesus Christ, You have revealed Your love. Open our hearts and minds by the inspiration of Your Spirit so that we might hear what You are saying to Your church. In the Name of Your Son Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Near my house, there’s a beautiful nature park with these massive, towering trees. In the summer, they’re lush and green, full of life.
But by September, the leaves start changing, and within weeks, the whole park is glowing with oranges and yellows. It’s breathtaking!
Then those same trees shed their leaves almost overnight and stand bare, looking lifeless.
But we all know that’s not the end. Give it a few months, and you’ll start to see buds forming, hear birds singing, and feel the warmth of spring returning. The signs are always there to remind us—seasons change.
I’ll admit, I love Christmas and the beauty of snow, but I’m not a fan of long, frozen winters. Last week, I was in Edmonton for a military task, and it was minus 25 degrees. A few days of that? Fine. Months of it? No, thank you! Once Christmas is over, I’m already longing for spring.
Now imagine if you didn’t know that spring was coming. If you thought the frozen ground, the snow, and the bitter cold would never end, how depressing would that be?
Life can feel like that sometimes. When we’re stuck in hardship or pain, it can feel like winter will never give way to spring.
That’s where hopelessness creeps in—and hopelessness is heavy. It’s one of the biggest drivers of depression.
But as Christians, our hope is different. It’s not just about looking on the bright side or being optimistic. Optimism is great—we need more of it in the world—but Christian hope goes deeper.
It’s not just about seeing the glass half-full; it’s about trusting God’s promises, even when everything around us feels barren and lifeless.
It’s knowing, deep in our souls, that spring will come.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to something deeper than optimism—it calls us to hope. Hope isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a confidence that allows us to see beyond what’s in front of us, to believe in something higher, richer, and far greater than what we can observe.
Today, we begin Advent—the start of the Christian year. That’s right, our calendar doesn’t start on January 1st but on this very day. Advent lasts for four Sundays, leading us to the celebration of Christmas.
But it’s more than just looking back to Christ’s birth; it’s about looking forward with anticipation and longing for the day when Christ will return and His Kingdom will come in full.
What’s fascinating is that the Gospel readings for the first Sunday of Advent always focus on apocalyptic messages—not the warm and fuzzy Christmas vibes we might expect!
The word “apocalyptic” often makes us think of doom and gloom, but it comes from the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning “revelation” or “unveiling.”
These passages reveal what’s to come before Jesus returns—chaos, darkness, nations in turmoil, and unmistakable signs that the day of judgment and redemption is near.
It might sound unsettling, but it’s also deeply hopeful. Why? Because these signs point to a truth we cling to: Christ is coming again.
Verse 25 says, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Doesn’t that sound like the world we’re living in? Just look around. The ongoing wars — Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas — have brought unimaginable pain, loss, and destruction.
On all sides, people are suffering. There’s no winner, only devastation.
And then there’s nature—floods, earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat, hurricanes—happening with increasing frequency. Lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities shattered.
Add to that the lingering memory of the pandemic—those piles of body bags, the fear, the isolation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, as though the world is spiraling out of control.
When we face this kind of devastation, it’s hard to imagine finding hope. How can we? When the signs all seem to point to catastrophe, how do we not just bow our heads in defeat or cover in fear?
Jesus tells us, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads.” (v. 28)
It’s a surprising command because it’s not what we naturally do when life feels overwhelming. In times of adversity, our instinct is often the opposite — our heads drop, our eyes fill with tears, and we retreat, trying to shield ourselves from what feels too heavy to face.
So, how do you respond when your world is shaken?
How would you like to respond?
Jesus knows the struggles we face, which is why He warns us in verse 34: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.”
Isn’t this a reflection of how many live today? Without understanding what truly matters or what lies ahead, people often turn to temporary pleasures — drinking, drugs, endless scrolling on social media, or partying—plunging their lives into chaos.
Others, burdened by life’s pain, sink into depression, isolate themselves, and either blame or deny God.
But none of these paths bring true relief. Instead, they deepen the emptiness, brokenness, and distance from the hope we so desperately need.
As followers of Christ, however, we are called to something different. We are people of hope, trusting that this life, with all its brokenness, is not the end of the story.
In a world filled with fear, confusion, and uncertainty, we cling to our Savior, our eternal hope.
The signs Jesus speaks of aren’t meant to terrify us; they are reminders that God sees us, loves us, and has not abandoned us.
They assure us that Christ meets us right in the midst of our pain, struggles, and darkest moments.
When we are hurting, Christ comes to us.
When we are exhausted, He draws near.
When we’ve given up and can’t bear to hope, Christ is still there, whispering, “Stand up. Raise your head. Help is on the way.”
Our redemption, our healing, our Savior is near.
Christ is Emmanuel — God with us. He walks with us, cries with us, struggles with us, and rejoices with us. His presence fills even the darkest places with light.
I’m reminded of this every time I walk through that nature park near my house. Often, I find myself staring at the ground, trying not to trip over rocks or branches. The more obstacles there are, the more focused I am on what’s in front of my feet.
But when I stop and lift my head, I see the beauty around me — vivid colors, birds singing, sunlight streaming through the trees, and the endless blue sky.
Sometimes, life feels like that walk — filled with obstacles that keep us looking down. But Jesus calls us to pause, to lift our heads, and to see the bigger picture.
There’s beauty, hope, and redemption all around us if we just look up.
Our hope in Christ may seem small or even unrealistic to some, but it is real. When life’s trials press in, we can stand tall, raise our heads, and look beyond the chaos, knowing that our hope is grounded in Jesus—our living, unshakable Savior.
So, on this first Sunday of Advent, I invite you to reflect: Where is your deepest hope? What do you long for? What do you yearn for?
Advent is a season of preparation—not just for Christmas, but for a new way of seeing the world—with Advent eyes. Can we dare to open our hearts to glimpses of hope, even in life’s darkest moments?
Think about all the waiting that you face—the waiting that comes with a burden, the anxious anticipation that weighs on your heart:
waiting for a lab result that could change everything,
waiting for news after a job interview,
waiting for your sick child’s fever to break,
waiting for an estranged sibling to call,
waiting for your child to overcome addiction, or
waiting for relief from financial struggles.
In those moments of waiting, can we look beyond the uncertainty and catch a glimpse of God’s promises breaking through?
As the song reminds us, “Hope is a star.” And stars, as breathtaking as they are, can only be seen in the dark. The darker the night, the brighter they shine.
Yes, there is turmoil and uncertainty in the world, but these aren’t reasons to hang our heads in despair. As people of faith, we are called to look up, to stand on tiptoes if we must, and to catch a glimpse of the promises God has made.
So as we anticipate Jesus’ return, let us not lose heart.
Amid the chaos, let us remember: hope is not just a feeling; it is a confident trust in the One who has overcome the world.
Let us pray.
Jesus, our Savior, in Your first coming, You showed us the way to salvation. You bore our sins, died on the cross, and rose in victory over death.
Now, as we wait for Your return, You call us to live with hearts full of hope and anticipation.
Lord, strengthen us to stay vigilant, not weighed down by the distractions or worries of this life.
Help us to stand firm in faith, ready to meet You on that glorious day.
Holy Spirit, Fill us with courage to live as Advent people, with eyes open to Your light even in the darkest moments.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come near, and make Your presence known among us.
In Your holy and powerful name, we pray. Amen.