Hope Cross

"Poverty is not being without money, but being without hope."

In Hebrews 6:11-20 we read that 'hope' is a sure and certain looking for good things that have been promised by God, and they are promises we can depend on. The trials of life are as though we are a ship at sea, being thrown up and down by the waves, and in danger of sinking. We need an anchor to keep us steadfast. The hope found in the Gospels is our anchor in the storms of this world. (See the meaning of the cross.)

The meaning of hope may change depending on a person's ideology. In Christianity, hope is one of the three virtues (along with faith and charity). And a virtue is not a mere emotion. It is spiritual. It is divinely-inspired.

Hope is not - and this may disappoint some people - something that you can buy in a trinket shop in the form of a so-called 'Hope Cross'. And yet many people spend enough dollars to make huge fortunes for opportunists who profit from the gullible.

Cross of Hope

This may surprise and disappoint some people, but often a handmade lapel pin is sold as a Hope Cross for the sole purpose of raising funds for church activities or simply as a supplemental income for a part-time home worker. The businesses associated with these crosses are sometimes a bit dubious - prices are disproportionately high and the components are often cheap nails and bits of plastic wire. The prime purpose is to raise money - spreading the Gospel is incidental. Often, they are worn as a Talisman or Lucky Charm to ensure good fortune and/or protection for the owner.

They are sold under various names, including:

Believer's Cross
Disciple's Cross
Divine Cross
Goodwill Cross
Hope Cross
Wishing Cross

Nails are used to add 'theological value', reminding wearers of the nails driven through the hands and feet of Jesus when He was crucified.

Another, rather curious, variation to this is the Horseshoe Nail Cross. It looks just like the crosses mentioned above, but rather than reminding the wearer of Christ's passion, our minds are led in the direction of a lucky horseshoe. Not much theological evidence to support lucky horseshoes but presumably there is a market for these charms anyway. (Check out our very own Miracle Healing Cross and don't miss your chance to spend a pile of cash on the Nazareth Cross.)

Any name could be given to such crosses, but 'Hope', 'Disciple', 'Divine' and 'Wishing' seem to be vogue. A Christian would simply call it 'a cross', and wear it in consideration of the true hope for mankind.

Other 'lucky' pages: