This year, decorating my Christmas tree, I was not excited as usual so I put my Christmas music on real loud. Mom had given us some of her favorite ornaments and it was very melancholy hanging them on my tree. Things are not the same and my big extended family has gotten smaller. I find myself grieving things. I put up two trees and they are beautifully lit and remind me of the hope of Jesus.
Maybe you’re facing a tough holiday season and don't feel like slapping a bow on our feelings and smiling. We can process our feelings remembering that Jesus brought hope and healing to the world. Jesus's love for us never changes and we can redirect our thoughts to focus on the hope and joy He brings! We can find hope in the knowledge that He is with us in our suffering and comforts us. Matthew 5: 4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."
Our Christmas hope is not dependent on our circumstances but it is a hope grounded in the assurance of Jesus. Jesus came, dwelt among us, saved us from sin and will come again! He has won victory over sin and death. John 16: 33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When we continuously turn our eyes away from the world and toward Jesus, we will be changed and we will have hope! We will bring the light of Jesus into Christmas because His Light already dwells within us. Our hope is alive because Jesus is alive! Let's pray Romans 15: 13 for those hurting this season. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
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