Hope Has Arrived
There is a common saying amongst the world as year-end approaches, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” While there are some who have serious challenges during this season due to past hurt or dealing with the loss of a loved one for example, many are truly excited for this time of year. Once Thanksgiving concludes, its as if there is some imaginary puppet master behind the scenes that cues Christmas themed drinks (peppermint mocha anyone), Christmas décor, Christmas themed movies - the list goes on an on. And lets not forget about Christmas themed music. It seems like every artist known to man either releases a Christmas themed project, or recirculates a project from the past. There are songs that talk about Santa Claus coming to town, songs that talk about winter wonderlands, and songs that talk about the world rejoicing in a thrill of hope.
When I looked up the Word hope in the dictionary, I was surprised to find multiple explanations. Definitions include, 1) to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or to be true; 2) to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; 3) to expect with confidence, trust; 4) A desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment; expectation of fulfilment or success. These definitions all point toward a positive circumstance or a positive ending.
Now think about the opposite of hope – hopeless. Hopeless has definitions such as: 1) as having no expectation of good or success; despairing; 2) incapable of redemption or improvement; 3) giving no reason to expect good or success, no ground for giving hope. While hope gives an exciting thought, hopelessness can leave one in a state of panic, despair, or desperation – all unsettling, scary thoughts.
I am imagine the state of the world was hopeless as they waited year after year after for the savior to come. (Isaiah 9) After years and years of captivity, famines, destruction, horrible kings, I imagine the situation was indeed hopeless. The world received prophesy that a savior would come, but they had not seen the savior with their own eyes. So after waiting for son long, i imagine many wondered if the savior would ever come. Thankfully we serve a God that always comes through on His promises. (Numbers 23:19)
As we read the Gospels in the Bible (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see how all of the promises, all of the waiting, and all of the hopelessness come together causing a truly hopeless situation to completely change course, allowing hope to appear. It was on the night that Mary and Joseph traveled a far distance to be counted in the census of their hometown, that our hope would arrive. It was on that night that Magi came to worship the newborn king. (Matthew 2:1-2) Upon hearing of the birth of Jesus, angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest.” (Luke 2:14) Because of Christ being born on that night, in that stable, thousands of years ago, we now have a true and living hope. Our ancestors were waiting for him to arrive then, we are waiting for his return now.
Similar to those who lived waiting for Jesus' initial arrival, one may look at the state of the world today and also see hopelessness. Many theologians compare the state of the world today to what the Bible describes as “the last days.” As people, we are proud, reckless, unloving, unforgiving, all that the Bible tells us we will be. (2 Timothy 3:1-3) We don’t have to wonder if there is anything we can do to change how things will play out, because the Bible is clear on what we can expect as we continue to wait for Jesus to return. Thankfully, as believers, we don’t wait with the hopelessness of the past. We have the word of God to touch, carry, read, and internalize, which teaches us what we need to know about how to live a full life, despite the circumstances that may surround us. We don’t grieve things or people like those who have no hope, because we know the savior! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Glory be to God for loving us enough to save us.
When you find yourself in the hopeless situations that this world often presents, take a few moments and reflect on all of the reasons to reflect on scriptures of hope:
Of the definitions of hope mentioned above, there is one that I didn’t mention, that in my opinion is the best definition of all, “someone or something on which hopes are centered.” As we reflect on Jesus’ birth this time of year, we can truly say that he is the one that our hope is centered on. He is the one who lived an upright and blameless life, showing us what a truly righteous man looks like. He is the one, that left lessons for us to follow so that we know the heart of the father all the more. He is the one eventually died on a cross, saving this entire world for their sin. He is our messiah. He is our everything. He alone is our confident hope. (Romans 12:12)
References
When I looked up the Word hope in the dictionary, I was surprised to find multiple explanations. Definitions include, 1) to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or to be true; 2) to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; 3) to expect with confidence, trust; 4) A desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment; expectation of fulfilment or success. These definitions all point toward a positive circumstance or a positive ending.
Now think about the opposite of hope – hopeless. Hopeless has definitions such as: 1) as having no expectation of good or success; despairing; 2) incapable of redemption or improvement; 3) giving no reason to expect good or success, no ground for giving hope. While hope gives an exciting thought, hopelessness can leave one in a state of panic, despair, or desperation – all unsettling, scary thoughts.
I am imagine the state of the world was hopeless as they waited year after year after for the savior to come. (Isaiah 9) After years and years of captivity, famines, destruction, horrible kings, I imagine the situation was indeed hopeless. The world received prophesy that a savior would come, but they had not seen the savior with their own eyes. So after waiting for son long, i imagine many wondered if the savior would ever come. Thankfully we serve a God that always comes through on His promises. (Numbers 23:19)
As we read the Gospels in the Bible (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see how all of the promises, all of the waiting, and all of the hopelessness come together causing a truly hopeless situation to completely change course, allowing hope to appear. It was on the night that Mary and Joseph traveled a far distance to be counted in the census of their hometown, that our hope would arrive. It was on that night that Magi came to worship the newborn king. (Matthew 2:1-2) Upon hearing of the birth of Jesus, angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest.” (Luke 2:14) Because of Christ being born on that night, in that stable, thousands of years ago, we now have a true and living hope. Our ancestors were waiting for him to arrive then, we are waiting for his return now.
Similar to those who lived waiting for Jesus' initial arrival, one may look at the state of the world today and also see hopelessness. Many theologians compare the state of the world today to what the Bible describes as “the last days.” As people, we are proud, reckless, unloving, unforgiving, all that the Bible tells us we will be. (2 Timothy 3:1-3) We don’t have to wonder if there is anything we can do to change how things will play out, because the Bible is clear on what we can expect as we continue to wait for Jesus to return. Thankfully, as believers, we don’t wait with the hopelessness of the past. We have the word of God to touch, carry, read, and internalize, which teaches us what we need to know about how to live a full life, despite the circumstances that may surround us. We don’t grieve things or people like those who have no hope, because we know the savior! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Glory be to God for loving us enough to save us.
When you find yourself in the hopeless situations that this world often presents, take a few moments and reflect on all of the reasons to reflect on scriptures of hope:
- As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. - Micah 7:7
- I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5
- All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation…” 1 Peter 1:3
- Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled Romans 15:4
- I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:24
Of the definitions of hope mentioned above, there is one that I didn’t mention, that in my opinion is the best definition of all, “someone or something on which hopes are centered.” As we reflect on Jesus’ birth this time of year, we can truly say that he is the one that our hope is centered on. He is the one who lived an upright and blameless life, showing us what a truly righteous man looks like. He is the one, that left lessons for us to follow so that we know the heart of the father all the more. He is the one eventually died on a cross, saving this entire world for their sin. He is our messiah. He is our everything. He alone is our confident hope. (Romans 12:12)
References
- Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.
- Cappeau, P. (1847). O Holy Night. Retrieved from Hymnary website.
- Daily Verses. (2024, November 30). Daily Verses - Hope. Retrieved from Daily Verses Web site: https://dailyverses.net/hope?p=2
- Merriam-Webster. (2024, November 26). Definition - Hope. Retrieved from Merriam-Webster Website: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope
- Merriam-Webster. (2024, November 19). Definition - Hopeless. Retrieved from Merriam-Webster Website: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeless
- Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
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1 Comment
Thank you Michelle for reminding me of who to count on (Psalm 130:5). I can wait confidently for HIM. Beautiful.