By Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon
The season of Advent is a time of expectant waiting—a time to reflect on promises spoken, fulfilled, and still unfolding. It is a season rich with hope, faith, and the assurance of God’s unchanging love. Today, I invite you to journey with me through two powerful biblical stories: one from the prophet Jeremiah and the other from the Gospel of Luke. Along the way, we’ll explore how God’s love carries us, using the beautiful imagery of the bride’s journey to the groom as a parable for our Advent walk.
Jeremiah’s Time: Finding Hope in Times of Despair
Jeremiah lived during a tough and heartbreaking time. Jerusalem was being attacked, the temple was ruined, and the people of Israel were about to be forced into exile. It felt like despair was everywhere, and hope was nowhere to be seen. But even in this dark moment, Jeremiah brought a message of hope:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
God’s message through Jeremiah wasn’t just an invitation to pray—it was a call to trust in God’s steadfast love and to believe that even in the most desperate times, God is still at work. Later in the same chapter, God proclaims:
“The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’ – Jeremiah 33:14–16
This promise of a Messiah—a righteous Branch—was a beacon of hope for a weary people. It reminded them, and reminds us, that hope is not the absence of pain or uncertainty. Hope is the belief that God is still working, even when all seems lost.
Jeremiah 33:3 serves as a reminder that when we call upon God, He answers. He may not reveal every detail of the journey ahead, but He promises to show us great and unsearchable things—truths about His love, His plans, and His kingdom.
Luke’s Mission: The Kingdom Is Near
Centuries after Jeremiah’s prophecy, the promise of a Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Yet, His mission was not what many expected. Jesus came not as a political revolutionary but as a Savior whose kingdom is built on love, hope, and faith.
In Luke 21, Jesus speaks of signs that will signal His return:
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:25-28
Jesus calls His followers to live with alertness and readiness—not in fear, but in joyful anticipation. Like Jeremiah’s words, His message is one of hope: even in tumultuous times, we can trust that God’s redemption is near.
The Bride’s Journey to the Groom: A Parable of Hope and Faith
Let me share a story from Korean tradition that beautifully illustrates the themes of Advent.
In ancient Korean weddings, the bride was carried to her groom’s home in a gama, a hand-carried wooden carriage. Four men carried the gama, symbolizing the support needed for this sacred journey.
Source: https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001107815
The two carriers at the front represented hope—the belief in a new beginning and the anticipation of what is to come. The two at the back represented faith—the steady trust in the foundation of love and the commitment to the journey, no matter how long or difficult.
As the bride traveled, she could not see the path ahead. She had to trust her carriers completely, believing they would bring her safely to the groom’s home. Her journey was not passive; it was an act of faith. She remained calm and steadfast, knowing the carriers would guide her to a place of joy and union.
This journey mirrors our own Advent walk. We, the bride of Christ, are being carried toward the ultimate union with our Groom. And just as the bride trusted her carriers, we are called to trust God’s promises, calling on Him for guidance and strength.
Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us to “call to me,” to reach out in prayer and trust, just as the bride might call out to her carriers for reassurance. God answers, not always by showing us the full path, but by revealing enough to keep us moving forward in hope and faith.
The Groom Prepares the Way
In ancient Jewish weddings, after a couple got engaged, the groom would leave the bride’s home and spend about a year building a new home for them to live in together. During this time, the bride waited patiently, trusting that her groom was getting everything ready for their future.
Jesus referred to this tradition when He said:
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” – John 14:2
Just as the bride trusted the groom’s preparation, we trust that Christ is preparing a place for us. While we wait, we call upon Him, knowing that He hears us and is faithful to His promises.
Three Transformative Lessons for Advent
- Call Upon God: Let Hope Lead the Way
Jeremiah 33:3 teaches us to call upon God in times of uncertainty. Hope is what allows us to lift our heads and see the light breaking through the darkness. Just as the bride’s front carriers symbolize hope, let hope lead us forward in this season of waiting.
- Build Your Faith in Action
Faith is not idle; it is active. Just as the bride trusted her carriers and the groom prepared the home, we are called to actively live out our faith. How can you live your faith this Advent season? Through service, reconciliation, or deepening your relationship with Christ, faith grows when it is exercised.
- Celebrate the Joy of Arrival
The bride’s arrival at the groom’s home is a moment of great joy, just as we anticipate the joy of Christ’s return. Until that day, let us practice gratitude and celebrate the glimpses of God’s kingdom breaking into our lives.
Carried by Love
As we journey through Advent, let us remember that we are carried by the love of Christ. His love sustains us with hope and strengthens us with faith. Let us call upon Him, trust in His promises, and prepare for His coming with open hearts.
And when the journey feels long, may we hear God’s reassuring words:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
Amen.
______
Refection Summary: The season of Advent is a time of expectant waiting, filled with hope, faith, and the assurance of God’s unchanging love. Through the prophet Jeremiah, we see God’s promise of restoration and the coming of a righteous Messiah, a “Branch” from David’s line who would bring justice and peace. Even during the darkest times of Jerusalem’s destruction and exile—when leaders often misused power and privilege instead of serving God and His people with humility—Jeremiah’s words remind us to call upon God, trusting that He is still at work. This hope is echoed centuries later in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled these promises and assured His followers of redemption, even amidst chaos. In Luke 21, Jesus calls us to lift our heads and live with joyful anticipation, knowing our redemption is near.
This Advent journey can be likened to a bride being carried to her groom in a traditional Korean wedding, supported by carriers symbolizing hope and faith. Like the bride, we cannot always see the path ahead, but we trust that Christ is leading us to a place of joy and union. Just as the groom prepares a home for his bride, Jesus prepares a place for us, calling us to live in active faith and joyful hope as we await His return. Advent reminds us that Christ’s love carries us through every season, even when human leadership falters, guiding us with the promise of His redemption and the joy of His coming kingdom.
