Hope for the Holidays

If Christmastime is leaving you forlorn and discouraged, remember Jesus didn't come just on one day two thousand years ago, but he comes as a living hope, each and every day of your life.  It is not that we rejoice in some distant and far away birth, but that we have within us his

spirit, his life, his hope, his love, and the reality of his presence.  

When you feel lonely and dejected turn to him, tell him all your troubles and all your cares.  Once you have told him, remember to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT). Be sure to “give” your worries to him, then turn and walk away.  He will take care of them for you, but first you must let go of them in order for him to be able to take them.  Stewing and worrying over present circumstances without releasing them into his care only delays his work.  Trust, believe and wait…he is working things out according to his perfect plan and purposes.

Exercising patience is difficult.  Waiting involves trusting, and trusting involves faith.  Faith is believing that God can and will do everything necessary for you to experience joy and happiness. Sometimes your present path is rocky and it may feel dark and lonely, but God is with you, right beside you through it all.  

Remember the true meaning of Christmas is that God himself came into the world to bear our sins so that we could have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus.  It’s not about the presents, the family get-togethers, the parties or the mistletoe. Christmas is about you and Jesus. If you personally and experientially know Jesus as your Savior, you already have the most precious, valuable Gift in the universe.  Spread the news and be of good cheer!

"Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

(Luke 10-11, NKJV)

 (I initially wrote this post for a different blog about 5 years ago.  Somehow it seems even more appropriate today.)