As I sat down to write for this year’s Advent blog and thought about the theme, “Reflecting the Light of Hope,” a favorite poem immediately came to mind—one I often turn to for a boost. It sparked a connection to several scriptures that also offer me hope, which I’ll share below.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

The poem reminds me of the power of even the smallest amount of hope. Emily Dickinson compares hope to a little bird, not a powerful eagle or hawk. While I’ve seen those big birds on my morning walks, it’s the songs of the little ones that truly bring me joy. Some of my favorite Bible verses also use small birds and seeds to remind us of some big truths about God, and they always give me hope.

Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Matthew 13:31-32
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 17:20
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

The poem reminds me that hope dwells within me, even if it’s sometimes impossible to see or feel. It is there because God is there. 

Romans 15:13,

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Psalm 62, 5-6

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Finally, the poem reminds me to endure through life’s storms. It reminds me that I’ve survived every challenge I’ve faced so far. 

John 16:33

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 30:11

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 30:5

“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

May these words offer you hope, and may you be blessed this Advent and in the days to come.

Patricia Wu