The Christmas season is filled with much anticipation. Christmas day is within reach. It's like waiting for vacation to arrive. You know it's coming but it just won't get here soon enough. So let me be the first to say, "Merry Christmas." Enjoy the season.
While some are enjoying the moment, some, the holidays are a reminder of loneliness and isolation. Some are saying, "I just can't wait for the holidays to get over with." No anticipation, no excitement. If that is you, I've got some good news for you.
This month is all about hope. What is hope? Hope is believing that better days lie ahead. Hope is having confidence that it's got to get better than this. Maybe you've lost a loved one, a relationship is fractured, or a loss of a job, status or stability, better days lie ahead. It will get better than youur present circumstances.
Say this out loud, "Better days lie ahead." We have hope that better days lie ahead. And yes, even for you.
The Chicago Cubs have been living on hope for the past 100 years. They hope to return to the World Series. But 100 years is nothing compared to the Israelite people waiting for God to fulfill His promise of rescuing them with a Savior.
If you know anything about Israelite history, you will know that they were oppressed for around 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior. They waiting through the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, and Romans. They were taken advantage of by countless people. They paid enormous taxes, used as slaves, and used for self gratification. Bottom line, they were not allowed to be a free people. They waited, they cried out, to God for the promised Messiah. And then there was a baby's cry. Mary gave birth to a son, gave Him the name Jesus. He was the one the angels told Joseph and Mary about. He will save the day. Their Hope will be found in Him.
Read Matthew 1:18-25 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
They had every reason to be depressed and anticipate nothing. But their hope was renewed. Hope had become a reality in a baby boy. They had every reason to be filled with anticipation and be filled with excitement. Better days lie ahead.
For today I want to renew your hope. Better days lie ahead. Not because of you or me. But because of Him. Jesus is our hope and He is here to give us better days ahead.
As you close: Thank God for the gift of His son Jesus. Thank Him for renewing our hope for better days. Thank God for this season and ask Him to fill your heart with joy and anticipation.
God bless!
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