Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts

Our hope is in Christ. Our hope is Christ. This is the early message of Christmas. Hope is the first gift of faith. We live in a world that squashes hope at every turn.

In our land of liberty, we have laws that remind us of the things that we cannot do. In school we rise to the level at which we cannot succeed--then  must try again and again and again until we do succeed. But, guess what! We have to move up to the next level, which must be tried again and again and again.

On our jobs, we are rarely brought into the office for the wonderful, matchless work we have done. Instead we are "called on the carpet" for the time we didn't get it right. Even in church we seem to be facing the struggle of our sinful nature, having our shortcomings constantly brought to the surface for us to re-examine and mourn over.

That's what makes faith in Christ so important. Because of the hopefulness, the hope, that is found just there. Perhaps this is tone of the reasons that Christmas and Advent are such a highlight in my own life: the constant reminder of Hope that is in Christ Jesus.

             I do not know the full results of the revival effort, but I do know that the sentiment presented in the theme is one that bears remembrance during this Christmas Season—Jesus Christ is the Hope that is available to all mankind. Whether we find ourselves in distress or over-extended this Holiday, we can find all Hope in the One who cares most for us. He cares so much that He offered His own life in place of ours. That’s why He came on the very first Christmas, and why we can still say, “Here’s Hope! Jesus Cares for You!”

(I thought that for the last few days of November this year, I'd do an Advent Preview. This is not to replace, but to augment, my annual Advent posting.)

Hope - that not yet but going to be - goes beyond the wishful thinking that usually enters the mind when we use the word "hope". For instance, consider the following statements:

"I hope you have a good day today."
"I hope the weather is nice this weekend."
"I hope I get a nice gift for Christmas."

This kind of hope is not only selfish in nature, it hides our eyes from real hope. Real hope is based in an unknown reality. And as such provides more than a positive desire. Real hope gives way to selfless thinking and help for others. I am thankful for real Hope that is found in Christ Jesus.