The Hope of Advent

The Hope of Advent is a spoken word poetry piece that can be used as a creative element for Advent worship services.

The Hope of Advent

(Based on Romans 8:19-23, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 5:5, Hebrews 6:17-20)

This wounded, weary world – it groans 
beneath the breaking weight of sin.
As mountains shake and seas swell high, 
the very atmosphere that shrouds the sky,
with all creation cries –
a broken, mournful song.

All efforts or achievement
we attempt to bring in hand,
cannot break the curse atop our head, 
nor bend sin’s rule upon our land.
Every promise that we make 
of better days we leave behind,
will be as broken as the world is –
despite our every try.
We cannot fix this mess we’ve made – 
It’s been born in us of old.
Fruit from Adam we have tasted.
Fruit from Adam we behold. 

Where is hope alive and well 
in this darkened, sin-sick world?
Where is light to break the night 
sending grace to us unfurled?
We have hope as but an anchor 
that steadies firm a trembling soul –
to hold us fast through storm-tossed waves, 
and keep us grounded, keep us whole
and fully focused on His Kingdom – 
though the earth beneath give way,
mountains crumble, heavens fall – 
It all may vanish in a day.

But this hope we have will never change, 
nor disappoint those standing firm.
Those who seek Him, always find Him,
ever grounded in the Word.
Our hope is found in Christ alone 
and on His truth we stand.
For though He came as fully God, 
He also came as fully man.

Who, but a promise, long foretold 
spoke life within our very breast,
and lit the fire of faith for those 
who came before in ages past.

Who, but a babe became the fullness 
of our Father God’s great plan,
to rescue and redeem our souls 
and light this hope in us again.

Who, but a man that cried and tired 
beneath our mortal way,
knew the fire of every pain and trial 
and still did not to sin give sway.

Who, but the Son of God burned bright 
the trail from death to life.
He is risen ever glorious, 
and stands triumphant through the fight.

We no longer have to live in fear. 
We no longer do dismay.
For Christ alone victorious, 
has granted hope for us this day.
Hope that flickers like a flame –
be it small and unashamed –
Is a hope that’s found by those 
who put their trust in Jesus’ name.