Hope of Christmas

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” –Luke 2:6-14 

Christmas is a time we celebrate the miracle and hope that came that first Christmas in a manger in Bethlehem. He was the King of Kings, but He humbly came in a lowly manger, born of a virgin and wrapped in rags, laid to sleep alongside the animals. A star stood above where He laid as a sign to those coming to see the newborn King. 

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I love the songs, the Christmas movies, and just the feeling of joy and peace that Christmas brings. I remember listening as my mom would read us the Christmas story. I often imagined what it would have been like to be there that night. The night Jesus was born. How did Mary feel, to hold the son of God in her arms? How did Joseph feel knowing this was God's son, entrusted to him to raise? How did the shepherd feel when standing in a field and seeing an angel proclaim the good news? Can you imagine what it was like to be there the night Jesus was born?  

I imagine that everyone felt the hope that filled that lowly stable in Bethlehem that night. The hope of the world had come. The hope that would save us from our sins. The hope that gives us assurance that we will have eternal life with Christ! You see, this is the real hope. Not as the world thinks of hope as something that might happen or things we wish will happen. The hope of Christ is hope that is based on assurance. This is the hope that was born on that Christmas day in Bethlehem; the message of hope that was told to the shepherds that, this day, the Savior was born unto us, who is Christ the Lord! 

The song “O Holy Night” is one of my favorite Christmas songs. There is a line in the song that always gives me chills, that says, “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”. You see, it is that hope that gives us peace when we are going through a difficult time. It is that hope that lets us know God is with us through it all. The hope that Jesus was born and will one day come back again! The hope that was given to us all, when Jesus Christ was born! 

You see, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the world was in desperate need of a savior. Not everyone realized their need for a savior in their life, or how much Jesus coming into the world, would forever change their life. Much like today, many are in need of a savior, but still don’t realize just how much Jesus can change their life; how much He already has changed their lives by the hope of salvation. It’s the thrill of hope, that still today, causes the world to rejoice! Once you experience that hope, the hope of Christmas, you are never the same. May we all know and experience the hope of Christ this Christmas, as we celebrate this wonderful season of his birth! 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” –Romans 15:13