“A Cowboys Christmas” Rev. Winford K. Rice
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, New International Version)
At the genesis of every NFL football season, since 1995, Dallas Cowboys fans have hoped that this would be their year to return to the Super Bowl. In an opportunity to relive the glory days of the 70s and 90s with Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith, and Michael Irvin, Cowboys fans incessantly hold their breath in hopes that this will be their year! Regardless of the pre-season statistics, irrespective of the depth chart and rosters, in spite of inept coaching staffs, and aside from divisional opponents and conference talent, Cowboys fans have perennially hoped that the season they’re currently competing in would be their year to win it all and gain another decade’s worth of bragging rights. And every year, unfortunately, inevitably, Cowboys Nation is woefully disappointed.
Nevertheless, the Dallas Cowboys remain the most popular sports franchise in America, despite not having won a Super Bowl, nor making an NFC Championship appearance, in two decades. Why is this? I contend, friends, it is because Cowboys Nation has become foolishly wed to this notion of hope. Cowboys fans best typify hope because they cling to what could be in spite of what currently is. They’re always anticipating the next while simultaneously appreciating the now. They’re always finding creative ways to celebrate small victories even when the goal is to win the championship. They consistently find ways to rejoice, with hope, that things will eventually get better and that one day they’ll make it to the big dance again!
In many ways, this is what hope is fundamentally about. Hope allows us to assess our narratives for what they truly are and, at the same time, dare to believe there can be more. Hope does not irresponsibly deny the reality of our current circumstances; instead, it provides a different lens to view our unique life situations. It says that even if the Cowboys don’t win it all this year, at least they’ll have a top draft pick next year, and that’ll properly position [us] to make it to the Super Bowl.
Hope grants us permission to dream beyond our wildest nightmares and to soar beyond our most encroaching limitations. In our text, the Roman writer says, “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer,” suggesting we must make a conscious choice and a deliberate decision to rejoice in spite of the season. Though the author penned this periscope while imprisoned, he still had the audacity to hope that better days were on the horizon and that the Roman community would flourish together. And in this liturgical season of Advent, we must engender the same spirit of Cowboys Nation and this text’s composer. That spirit is to rejoice in hope, being courageous enough to celebrate our now while believing our next will be even greater. Let this Christmas be like a Cowboys fan — believe God for the improbable and impossible— while still finding reasons to rejoice!
Prayer: God, today, let me choose to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. Allow me to appreciate my process, knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Whatever season I find myself in, let peace be my portion and hope be my guide. I’m hopeful that better days are ahead of me and my worst days are behind me. I claim victory now in Jesus’ name, Amen!