Military Devotion – Hope in December – December 5, 2025
Based on Romans 15:13
Hope in December
When you step off the boat and walk up the ramp and step into the memorial, you look down 184 feet to the other side and see a wall through a small opening. As you walk the length of the memorial and step into that room, you stop and see that the wall holds the names of 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed aboard the USS Arizona during the attack of December 7, 1941. There are no artificial lights, but the artwork on the sides of the walls allows natural Hawaii sunlight to shine on those names.
The artwork is called the Tree of Life, created by architect Alfred Preis, who wanted it to be “a symbol of renewal to inspire contemplation.” The tree of life is referred to in the books of Genesis and Revelation—a lifegiving tree for all who eat its fruit. That first tree in the Garden of Eden was destroyed in the great flood at the time of Noah. Paradise was lost because of sin. In Revelation the apostle John sees paradise restored and redeemed by Christ, who destroyed death by his resurrection from the depths of the grave. In the Garden of Eden restored, John sees the Tree of Life there, bearing fruit every month, for the healing of the nations, to dry the tears of those who mourn. This is the promise held out to you and to all who hope in Christ for life eternal.
This is the hope we have when we stand in places like the USS Arizona Memorial, when we stand at a coffin or urn, or lay flowers at a gravestone. There is life in the places where the dead lay. Those bodies in their watery grave, both those who perished and the survivors who died and have been interred with their shipmates, will rise again, and we with them. This is the hope we have as we wait for Jesus to come again and bring us to that place in heaven. There we will eat the fruit from the Tree of Life and live forever, never to die again. Listen to the apostle Paul’s encouragement in 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.”
Days of remembrance, like December 7, might be hard for you, especially if you’ve lost someone in combat or in a tragic accident. These days leading up to Christmas might be difficult as you think about the reality of someone close to you not being here at Christmas.
My prayer is that this sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead when Christ comes again fills you with joy and peace this Advent and Christmas season.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the God of all hope, always hold before our eyes that vision of the Tree of Life so that we may always have hope. Grant peace and joy to those who mourn. Use remembrances like December 7th as a reminder for us to repent of our sins daily so that we are ready for your return. Use days like December 7th to remind us to pray for peace, to pray that your Almighty hand guard and keep us from those who would bring evil on us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and bring us to that place of everlasting peace and joy. Amen
Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.
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