“Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” – Ps 80:19

Trumpism is a global phenomenon with a message of aggressive economic populism and religion of Consumerism. Trumpism political forces are happening all over the Western democratic world in form of a broader trend like Brexit where the post-World War II neoliberal global order is breaking down without any hope of human alternative, hence our hope in Advent. The age of Trumpism shaped by globalisation and new era of wealth inequality is beyond a new political agenda. In such an age when the world is living a key reversal and spiritual decline, our hope can only come from the Lord of lords and King of kings Who made the heaven and the earth.

The gospel reading on the first Sunday of Advent signal a change in time just as these liturgical seasons for believers are meant to shape how we view time, how we choose to live time, how we make sense of time. The first Sunday of Advent in the age of Trumpism invites us to a reorientation in time and of time toward God’s time and teachings. I welcome you into a new church year, a new Gospel and a new start. Advent calls us to look beyond the headlines to address the enduring grand strategic questions facing the world today. Since the last American general election that produced President Trump, the continuous pursuit and engagement of an assertive strategy in global affairs by America suggests that we are in an unsettled world with a terminal decline. We are in an age when the presence of God who oriented time and shaped time is in jeopardy especially with violent outbursts of white nationalism.

In a post-truth Trumpism culture shaped by messages of despair and anger, and coupled with ‘the addictive strength of social media and their unprecedented capacity to spread lies, and the cynicism of modern politics,’ Advent brings hope. This hope is something promised by God and anticipated. Advent challenges us what to do when the worship of God, that which gives meaning to time, is in peril and decline.

Trump’s “America First” platform continue to create more ‘uncertainty about America’s role in the world than at any time in recent decades.’ Douglas Schoen and Jessica Tarlov in their book, ‘America in the Age of Trump,’ provides a picture ‘at the failure of a great nation to meet the needs of its people and the challenges of the age.’  America, a nation in turmoil, ‘collapse of public trust in government, as well as a pervasive crisis of national values, from broken families to a loss of faith in the American idea itself,’ resonates the world terminal decline. The damning report about slave trade and the estimated 400,000 -700,000 migrants trapped in Libya, some ‘being sold like goats,’ or killed violently points to a world that is sick and in need of healing. What Americans are afraid of in the age of Trumpism resonates with the fears of the world most especially: Spread of the religion of Consumerism, corrupt government officials, healthcare, world war III, North Korea nukes, climate change, terrorist attack, and economic collapse.

Advent in the age of Trumpism provides hope in the face of ‘an unprecedented array of fiscal, economic, social, and national-security challenges—out of control federal spending, frighteningly large deficits, massive gaps of income and opportunity, cultural division, and a dangerous world in which American power seems increasingly incidental.’ Advent provides the ultimate solution to the challenges of race relations beyond the racial age of Trumpism.

Advent in the age of Trump phenomenon summons us to ‘brimming with hope in defiance of hopelessness.’ While Douglas and Jessica also focused on how America reassert its place in the world, and secure a prosperous future for their citizens, Advent proclaims a message of good news to a struggling world on life support. As we pass through the darkest age of Trumpism, Advent invites us to turn and prepare the way for Jesus Christ. Advent calls us to turn our attention away from the marketplace and toward the manger; to turn away from the consumer jingles and towards the songs of our faith in Jesus Christ. Advent in the age of Trumpism calls us to turn away from commercialism, and toward spirituality; to turn away from the things that divide us and toward the thing that unite us; to turn from getting and towards sharing.

Living Advent in age of Trumpism is the core value of Christian faith especially when the world is living on superficial alternatives. Advent is about the Gospel of Hope and Jesus is our hope even beyond the age of Trumpism. Happy Advent. Hope is on the way. Comfort dulls our senses and mission. The age of Trumpism points to times of difficulty, division and violence hence, the need to hope in nothing else, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. We dare not trust the Trumpism sweetest or tweets frames, ‘but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.’