In human terms, we think of hope as a kind of “manufactured wish."

For Christians, the season of Advent helps us rewrite our understanding of hope the way God intended it to be – a “deep and abiding trust in God’s perfect promises, yet to be fully realised”.

Because of this, the hope we have in God doesn’t need to pretend, plaster on a smile, deny the ache in our hearts.

The hope God has given us broke through. It isn’t conjured. It’s someone who comes to us. Hope has a name, and it is He whom we contemplate and then celebrate in the season of Advent.

“The people walking in darkness, have seen a great light.” — Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah doesn’t demand optimism, he speaks into the darkness that surrounds the nation of Israel and speaks of hope – by shining light into the darkness. The shining light reveals that which has been hidden – the way God will rescue us for eternity.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

As Isaiah prophesies, he addresses Israel and speaks to their collective fears of loneliness, hopelessness, anxiety, fear and their need for wholeness. He points to the Prince of Peace, whom Israel knew as Sar Shalom.

N.T. Wright, in his book Simply Good News, says this:

"Jesus doesn't give an explanation for the pain and sorrow of the world. He comes where the pain is most acute and takes it upon himself. Jesus doesn't explain why there is suffering, illness, and death in the world. He brings healing and hope. He doesn't allow the problem of evil to be the subject of a seminar. He allows evil to do its worst to him. He exhausts it, drains its power, and emerges with new life."

Hope is not God shouting encouragement from the sidelines; it’s God with us, in the pain and uncertainty, healing and providing hope. Knowing the pain, enduring it, and overcoming it with us.

Thomas Merton, a 20th century theologian, once said

"The real hope is not in something we think we can do, but in God, who is making something good out of it in some way we cannot see."

Because hope has a name, we don’t have to conjure hope — we receive it. Because hope has a name, we are being invited to walk with hope. Because hope has a name, we can live in the certainty of looking to that hope to overcome any circumstances we meet.

Hope has a name – we follow Him!

Hope has a name – He is the Prince of Peace

Hope has a name – He is Sar Shalom.

Hope has a name – it is JESUS!

Shalom.

Principally Thinking

'Act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God'

Issue 17 · 10 Dec 2025

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