What do I hope for this Christmas?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)
Christmas celebrates the Hope that was born for us. At least it should be for us who have tasted His grace. But like the rest of the world, I can get caught up in what some call "magic", and others call "commercialism", of Christmas. The giving and getting, the decorating and eating, the celebrating are all fun. There are smiles all around cause it's Christmas, duh! And yet, we live in a fallin' world where things go wrong.
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Christmas celebrates the Hope that was born for us. At least it should be for us who have tasted His grace. But like the rest of the world, I can get caught up in what some call "magic", and others call "commercialism", of Christmas. The giving and getting, the decorating and eating, the celebrating are all fun. There are smiles all around cause it's Christmas, duh! And yet, we live in a fallin' world where things go wrong.
What do we have should everything fall apart, if we don't have a foundation of hope?
That sweet, precious baby that was born so long ago brought a source of true hope, not based on shaky ideologies. Our hope is firm, steadfast.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 18-21)
As you sing Christmas carols, eat fresh baked cookies, or face your hardest days keep your eyes on Hope that was once wrapped in swaddling clothes for your sake. That manger scene decorating your mantle displays where our hope began.
As you sing Christmas carols, eat fresh baked cookies, or face your hardest days keep your eyes on Hope that was once wrapped in swaddling clothes for your sake. That manger scene decorating your mantle displays where our hope began.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:13)
My goal, "hope", for the Christmas season is to look forward to (hope for) the grace I have coming that will be sealed at my first sight of Jesus.
I pray that you guys have a very blessed Christmas season, but that above all your hearts are settled in the hope to come.
In His Name,
Jennifer
11 comments:
"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." I've been reading in Romans about death in our sins/life in Christ, and last night when I was listening to some Christmas music it hit me -- when baby Jesus was born, LIFE itself came into the world! ooh that makes Christmas so much more exciting to me!
Wow. That's great stuff, Becca! It gives me reason to celebrate!!
Keeping our eyes on Hope - what a great way to look at Christmas!
Amy, isn't it though? Where would we be without a foundation of Hope? :)
Great post, Jennifer! Our Hope, who was born in a stable, brings such depth to our Christmas celebration!
I love this post. HOPE. Plain and simple it is one of the bestest gifts. We can hope for tomorrow, for the past, and for all that Christ calls us to. Glad I can here from Unwrapping Jesus.
Jaimejoy, "depth" is the perfect word! That's what I'm looking for this season.
Alene, our hope, that began one night in a simple stable, is the best for each season...I'm so glad you stop by too!
Beautiful reminder, Jennifer. I love those 1 Peter verses. It is for the sick that He came to heal! So thankful.
Caroline, thank you! I'm doing a study of 1 Peter- I love them too! :)
Beautiful!!! My heart is so encouraged by the hope we have in Christ. Can you even imagine life without Him? Wow.
Beautiful post today. Thank you!
Hugs,
Melanie
Melanie, I would be empty! *hugs*
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