The Hope of Christmas

          I sure hope gas prices soon come down. I hope that I kill a big buck this year. I hope that we get snow for Christmas. I sure hope my medical tests don't show cancer.  These are the most common kinds of hope that people experience.  It is a wishful thinking kind of hope.  It depends on circumstances.  Most of the time we don't have any control over the events or situations for which we hope.  There is no guarantee that the wish will be accomplished.

           Most people hope for a better world in which to live.  A world in which there is peace and harmony among individuals.  A world in which there would be no suffering, hunger, poverty, hatred or jealousy.  This too seems far fetched and an impossible dream.  When people come to the realization that this is not going to happen, they become disillusioned with life and their circumstances.  They lose hope.  One of the reasons there is so much misery in people's lives is that there is no hope.  This is the worldly hope.

          For the Christ follower, there is a different kind of hope.  This hope is secure.  It is certain.  It is Christ centered and based on the promises of God.  It is understanding that God is faithful to keep His promises.  It is not based on wishful thinking.  It is based on the faithfulness of God our heavenly Father and our Creator.  My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. When God declares our sins are forgiven , we can be assured that they are forgiven. When God declares we have eternal life, we have the assurance of heaven. When God says He will never leave us or forsake us, we know that He is constantly ready to love us, protect us, and to provide for us.

          God promised that He would provide a redeemer for mankind from the very beginning of time.  Although several thousand years passed from the promise to the fulfillment of that promise, God did come through "in the fullness of time". Heb 4:4. Now it has been 2000 more years since Jesus promised He will come to earth again and rule here in peace. But just as God kept His first promise, He will kepp His second one, as well.

          The birth of Jesus fulfilled the hope of the ancient people.  It should also give us confidence that our hope will also come to pass.  The hopes and fears of all the years (past, present, and future) are met in thee (Jesus) tonight (Christmas).

Wishing you a Hopey Christmas,

Pastor Dave