Don’t we all like to think about hope, talk about hope, and life in the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ? Yesterday we lit the first candle on the advent wreath at church and I spoke for a moment about hope, and Romans 15:12-13 was read. Christmas time is the celebration of hope. A world had the hope of a Messiah and He came. It is also a chance for us to reflect on the hope of our lives, which is Jesus Christ. Hope is confident expectation, and that is an expectation that Jesus is returning. At Christmas we can look back and forward at all that Jesus did and will do, and at the great plan of God the Father to empower us with the Holy Spirit to move through each day, and bring Him glory. God’s plan as seen in Romans states, “There shall come the root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope.” (Romans 15:12 NASB)
I do think as we celebrate Christmas looking forward in the hope that is Christ is something that we can do. 1 Peter 1 points us to the hope that is Christ, and that is found only in Christ (our salvation). Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 NASB) The hope that we have is found in none other then Jesus Christ.
So, maybe you are saying, “I know this.” I agree I know this to, yet a reminder is something important for all of us. We are entering a month, December, that at times we could find stressful. Family, finances, work, and even weather can challenge us. I would encourage you not to be dragged away from the hope that is Jesus Christ, by any of the worldly stresses. Peter seems to have known that even with our hope we might get caught up in some stress. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.” (1 Peter 1:6 NASB) Trials will come and trials will go, but the hope that is found in our Savior, who came to be with us, live for us, die for us, rise again for us, and will return for us will never change. Enjoy this Christmas time and know that Jesus loves you and is our hope in all things.