What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of Christmas? For me, I think about the hope of Jesus. Because of Him, we always have hope, even in the midst of our most difficult days.
I have friends that are battling illness or have suffered loss this year. Even as I have walked through the homegoing of both my mother and father this past decade, I have found comfort from Jesus, bringing hope to my heart.
According to Matthew 12:21, "His name will be the hope of all the world."
What does it mean to hope? H.O.P.E. The word is elpis in the Greek and means, in my view, to "hold on with patient expectation."
Jesus has promised, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12).
Oh there is such hope in His promises. Every promise in God's Word brings a new hope to your heart.
Christmas is all about Jesus, who is Immanuel, meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). Why is Jesus so significant and such a source of hope? Because, according to the promise of Matthew 1:21, He saves us from our sins. He died in our place paying the penalty for our sins, became our Savior and Redeemer, offering us forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
What hope and joy for us this Christmas. Like a beautiful rose standing out among many flowers, so is Jesus who is our blessed hope at Christmas and every day of the year.
Isaiah 9:6 offers a powerful promise about Jesus giving us Christmas hope —
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NLT
How can you respond to such hope?
Believe in Jesus.
Paul puts it this way, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
So dear friend, may you abound in Christmas hope as you find joy and peace in as you believe in Jesus and all His promises.
And if you have never trusted in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you might draw near to Him and pray a simple prayer something like this: Lord Jesus I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I ask You now to come into my life, forgive my sins and make me the person You want me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, today we thank You that You are our great hope and that You can cause us to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings ♡ Grace
