This article originally appeared in the Freedom Friday email from Love Mercy Do Justice.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him” (Lamentations 3:22-24, ESV).
I came across this passage as I read the book of Lamentations. It stood out like a solar combustion of illumination in the midst of utter darkness and despair. After 22 years of incarceration, I often find myself in a state of lament as I await the celebration of Jesus’s birth, and more important, his second coming. I mourn the connection I once shared with my loved ones during Christmas time, but every day my hope is renewed that one day we’ll be together again.
While I lament from a place of physical captivity during Advent, many people lament from a place of mental, emotional, and spiritual captivity. Captivity keeps people from coming together with their loved ones to celebrate our Savior’s birth. Too often this season seems to breed depression, despair, anger, and regret when the good news of Jesus’s birth should bring us love, joy, forgiveness, celebration, and hope.
No matter what we’re going through, whether one is physically free or bound in captivity, God reassures us that we can always find hope in him. God has everlasting love for each one of us and strengthens us during our times of lament. God’s mercy is great and draws us nearer to him despite our shortcomings and failures. It’s because of God that our hope is renewed daily for deliverance from our despair, hardships, and struggles.
As each Christmas passes without my being able to celebrate with my loved ones, I hold onto hope that one day I’ll celebrate Christ with them in complete freedom. For those of you who have the opportunity to celebrate our Lord’s birth with loved ones, I encourage you to do so. We hope in the Lord for so many things—reconciliation with God and loved ones is within reach! Let our hope come to fruition as we celebrate our Lord.
