Hope is a powerful thing.
Holding on to the promise of better things ahead can get people through a lot of hard times.
The beginning of a new year is always a little hopeful. The tearing off of the final calendar page of one year to go into the next is a symbolic time of change.
But if not guarded against, it can be fleeting. One bad day or a tough week can turn hope into discouragement and eventually to despair.
It’s appropriate that Christmas comes at the end of the year, just one week before the new year.
Christmas is the reminder that there is eternal hope.
God sent his son Jesus to Earth on that first Christmas. During his life here, Jesus gave the perfect example of how to live our lives and relate best to our fellow man.
And then, in his death and resurrection, Jesus provided the hope of an eternal life and relationship with God.
In doing so, our definition of hope changes from positive expectation to one of trust in Godly promises.
What greater gift could God have given?
On this Christmas season, it is our prayer that God’s hope fills us all.
To remind us of that special gift, we offer the story of that most hopeful first Chrismas, as told in Luke chapter 2:
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
–– Shane Scoggins