I remember as a child Christmas Eve was filled with great anticipation and hope. I always felt Christmas was the best time of the year—the lights, the time with family, and of course the presents.
I would lie awake each Christmas Eve night begging the clock to move faster, but the hours would creep by. I would lie there thinking of what might be under the tree with my name on it.
I hoped that I would get a new bicycle.
I hoped to see my stocking full of candy.
The list could go on and on of the hopes.
But that isn’t Biblical hope. That isn’t the hope that Jesus brings.
Did I have any control over what I opened up on Christmas morning?
The hope I had was flighty. The hope I had was wishful thinking.
Real Hope
The hope that Jesus brings is very different.
The hope we find in Christ is secure. It is safe. It is trustworthy.
We can have hope with confidence!
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think of it this way – Imagine your life as a long journey traveling down an unknown road. You can look over your shoulder and see where you came from.
You see the hills, the valleys, the bumps, and the potholes.
Yet here you are, still on this journey. Here you are still going in spite of everything you faced.
You can see how God has been faithful to keep His promises in your past that you now can look ahead with confidence.
He has not failed you in the past so how could He fail you in the future? His promises are true and will come to pass.
He will finish what He starts every single time.
Back To Christmas
This year has been one for the history books—that’s no secret.
This Christmas season may find you at your end. It may find you ready to give up altogether.
Despite everything the Israelites went through in the Old Testament, they held on with hope of the coming Messiah.
They were told He was coming and He did!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
So where do you find hope this Christmas? Where do you find hope in this lost, broken, fearful world?
You find it in God’s promises.
He has promised to meet your every need.
He has promised to never leave you.
And He has promised that He is coming back again.
Look back over your life and see how He has been faithful time and time again. Then look ahead with confidence that He will do it again.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
I pray the hope you find in Him this Christmas!