Each Advent, the Church invites us into the mystery of Christ’s coming into the world. We commemorate the “ancient expectancy of the Messiah [. . .] by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming” (CCC § 524). Through this remembrance, deep longing grows within our own hearts for the day when Christ will come again in glory.
The season of Advent also draws us deeper into the present moment and all the ways Jesus wants to come to us—right where we are—this Christmas. And so, for four weeks of Advent, we prepare the way. We make room in the mangers of our hearts for Him to be born—this tiny, tender Babe in His mother’s arms. All while waiting, wondering, and marveling at the miracle of the Word made flesh. And all with a thrill of hope.
What is Hope?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC § 1817).
We need the virtue of hope to keep us from discouragement, to sustain us in times of abandonment, and to buoy us up during times of desolation and suffering.
And isn’t it beautiful that every year, the Church gives us the season of Advent to renew the virtue of hope within us?
Yes, Advent is indeed a time to consider our hope in Christ—in His love, in His goodness, and in His promises.
The Weary World Rejoices
But what if hope feels unattainable?
Perhaps you are living with prolonged suffering, such as chronic illness or pain, financial hardship, or an estranged relationship, and mustering up the courage to have hope this Advent feels like too much to consider.
The sufferings we face are real; they are part of our human experience. And yes, we can grow weary of them, losing hope that our circumstances will ever improve. But even in these moments, we are invited to hope against hope (see Romans 4:18), because “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). And Advent is the perfect season to prove that to us.
This Advent, Blessed Is She would like to walk with you in hope. We want to pray with you through our new Advent devotional, A Thrill of Hope, which is available in softcover, electronic, and audio formats.
Written by Liz Kelly Stanchina, this Advent devotional for Catholic women is the perfect prayer companion for ushering in a renewed season of hope in our lives. Drawing from her own life stories—many of which could have left her utterly hopeless—Liz has received an overflowing amount of hope as pure gift from the Lord. And she wants to share it with us this Advent.
In addition to Liz’s reflections, the devotional follows the journey of hope that four biblical women—Eve, Sarah, Ruth, and Mary—take to find themselves and their true identity in the Lord. Throughout the Advent season, each biblical woman guides us in contemplating hope, including what causes hope to flee and what makes it flourish. In addition, these women teach us not only how to receive hope, but also how to become bearers of hope in the world.
“Clearly the Lord wants to refresh His people in hope,” says Liz. “For women in particular, I think He wants to refresh us in our role as bearers of hope for the world. Women have a particular strength and gift in this, and it’s one we clearly need to unleash in this time.”
How to Pray with A Thrill of Hope
The Advent devotional is divided into four sections—one for each week of Advent. Each week focuses on one biblical woman: Eve, Sarah, Ruth, and Mary. The weeks are set up as follows:
Sunday //
On the Sundays of Advent, we will read Scripture passages from each woman’s story and spend some time in lectio divina.
Monday-Friday //
During the week, Liz offers reflections and prompts for prayer and journaling based on the Scripture passages. Liz urges women not to read the reflections only once but to really sit with them, reading them a few times slowly and thoughtfully, in order to truly absorb the message of hope.
Saturday //
On Saturdays, Liz invites us into a simple practice, some way to put into action the new muscles we are training in hope.
The Advent devotional will continue through Christmas Day, ending on the Saturday after Christmas.
Bring Your Coffee . . . and Your Kids into the Hope of Advent
In addition to the Advent devotional book, Blessed Is She is also offering a children’s companion, written by Olivia Spears. Using some of the same Scripture verses you will be meditating on, A Thrill of Hope: A Kids Advent Devotional walks with the same four women you will be following this Advent. And it adds their husbands, so young boys can relate to it too. The children’s companion includes coloring pages, questions for journaling, lessons from the Saints, and other activities to help kids herald the virtue of hope in their own lives this Advent. A bundle with the women's and children's devotionals is also available.
And what is prayer without coffee? Or rather, what is coffee without prayer? The two go hand in hand, which is why Blessed Is She has designed this sweet mug to go perfectly with your time of prayer utilizing the Advent devotional. You can get this beautiful mug, a Morning Time prayer candle, and the devotional all in our sweet little Advent Women's Bundle here.
This Advent, let us walk with Eve, Sarah, Ruth, and Mary. Let us walk in hope, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Christmas.
Sarah Damm is a regular contributor to the BIS blog. She is a Catholic wife and mother of six children, living in Minnesota. She spends her days running errands, helping with homework, and keeping up with laundry and the family schedule. Sarah loves her faith, coffee, and good books. You can find out more about her here. Read all of Sarah's posts here.
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