Date: November 30, 2025

Speaker: Rev. Jason Coker

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5

Welcome to the first week of Advent at The Collective Table. In this episode, Co-Lead Minister Jason Coker explores the season's first theme: Hope.

We often think of hope as a childish wish for magic—like the anticipation of Santa Claus on Christmas morning. But what happens when we grow up and face the inevitable disillusionment of the world? Jason guides us through the journey from "childish naiveté" through adolescent cynicism, and finally into what philosopher Paul Ricoeur calls a "Second Naiveté"—a mature, chosen hope that believes in peace even when the world is at war.

Drawing from the prophet Isaiah, we look at the radical vision of a God who teaches wisdom rather than conquest, and an invitation to turn our swords into plowshares right here and now.

• The Evolution of Hope: Moving from the "childish magic" of believing in Santa Claus to the "adult magic" of realizing we are loved by people who truly see us.

• Tribal Warrior vs. Universal Teacher: How Isaiah 2 shifts the image of God from a tribal chieftain of war to a universal source of wisdom and instruction.

• The Second Naiveté: Overcoming cynicism not by forcing God’s hand, but by choosing to believe in goodness and righteousness despite the evidence around us.

• Walking the Talk: A celebration of the Oceanside Sanctuary community’s 150th Anniversary and a reminder that our actions provide the evidence that this "naive" hope is real.

"When you go and try to conquer on that God's behalf, you have fundamentally said you do not believe in a God of goodness and righteousness and peace."

"We can be the evidence for the rest of the community... that this naive hope is worth believing."

• This Podcast is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary.

• Scripture Reference: Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)

• (00:00:00) - Advent Podcast
• (00:01:14) - Advent Message
• (00:09:16) - Isaiah 2:8-9
• (00:24:59) - Oceanside Sanctuary 150th Anniversary