Hope–The Advent Virtue

Extract

Occasionally in books of art reproductions you will come across a large picture of a nose, or waving hand, or something similar; and perhaps you will be taken aback by the peculiar choice of subject until you glance at the caption: ‘Detail from somebody or other's Adoration of the Magi'. And then if you turn back a few pages you will find the full picture of the Adoration of the Magi and be able to spend several exciting minutes identifying which particular nose has been magnified on the later page. For the first time you will understand why the nose is pointed in the direction it is, why it is painted such a peculiar colour: for you will see it in its context.

A theological article on hope is like that nose. Since it is to be theological it cannot be about hope, it must be about God.