Where’s the Hope this Christmas?
By Pastor Jerry Naff
They say, “Christmas is coming!” Can you believe it? Well, I guess if you look at the decorations filling the Malls and those popping up on some of the lawns of the homes in my neighborhood, you could agree, “Yes, Christmas is coming.” Black Friday and Cyber Monday had record sales and that could indicate that Christmas is coming, but those celebrations would probably, in my opinion, be misguided.
The green bottom line surly is not where hope is found this Christmas.
Shocking headline stories rapidly flashing on the news channels and flooding social media venues reveal sexual misconduct, nuclear threats, mass shootings and natural disasters that have become the norm. But is there anything normal about expecting to hear the disgrace of broken lives in our homes, in our country, or for that matter, in the world? These true stories paint a picture of hopelessness that is absolutely incompatible with the expectations of Christmas.
No way can there be hope this Christmas in stories of destroyed lives.
I have been asked by family and friends, “What do I want for Christmas?” My first thoughts are confusing. I am reluctant to answer truthfully. Not that I am thinking of being dishonest, but rather, what I want to say is complex and I fear being misunderstood. You see what I want can’t be purchased, wrapped, or placed under a tree. I want more than that, much more. I want my soul and spirit to be lifted above the sounds of “ka-ching” and above the tears of failed lives.
I want to experience Peace, and Joy, and Love.
All I want for Christmas is quite simple (and yet at the same time most profound). I want to see the giving of heart-touching goodness, of compassion caring, and the out poring of love. My hope is that Christmas will be a blessing to those receiving the gifts that money can’t buy. My hope is that Christmas will be a blessing for the healing of broken hearts and broken lives. It is a hope that Christmas will fulfill the promise made by scripture long ago: God is with us!
That’s where the hope is this Christmas! Truthfully!
Hope is in the ONE who made heaven and earth. Hope is in the ONE who heals and transforms, and forgives, and makes all things new. Hope is in JESUS, the gift given for the whole world, given for a new world! Christmas is not only coming, Christmas is here, because Jesus is with us!
That’s where the Hope is this Christmas?
The hope this Christmas is in you and me as we offer our gifts of love through the Spirit of Christ for a world that experiences way too little of true Christian love.
What do you think? I want to hear from you about where’s the hope for you this Christmas!
Check out my Advent Series: All I Want for Christmas
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