Pastor Eric’s sermon establishes the Christian season of Advent as a time that begins by confronting the harsh realities of suffering, fear, and darkness in the world, in contrast to traditional holiday cheer. The central guiding question posed is “What do you fear?” with Eric arguing that true, durable hope can only be found by developing a compassionate relationship with these anxieties rather than avoiding them. This necessity for honesty is illustrated through stories, including a psychological reflection on avoiding specific fears and the simple truth revealed in a toddler’s unashamed cry of “I am afraid.” Furthermore, Pastor Eric anchors the theme in the biblical context of Zechariah, detailing how his personal and political fears under King Herod’s oppressive rule made him doubt the messenger of God, highlighting the vulnerability inherent in accepting hope. The overarching aim of this approach is to foster a community where individuals can share their paralyzing anxieties, thereby giving birth to a ‘gritty, defiant Advent hope” capable of enduring the darkness.
