Hope Has Come!
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. Romans 15:13
The birth of Jesus and the Christmas season is a celebration of hope! This past Sunday, our pastor taught a powerful message out of Matthew 2:1-20 – The Christmas Story. He painted a very beautiful picture of hope coming to us when Jesus was born. He said, “Before the truth sets us free, it has to make us miserable.”
Those words are so true. In order for us to appreciate and understand the beauty of the birth of Christ, we have to come to the realization that without him, our stories don’t end well. The hope we have through the birth of Christ and ultimately in His death is that we can make the choice to go in a different direction. 1 John 1:9 says,
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
That is God’s promise from His word for us. He sent us Jesus so we can have hope! We can know the truth in His word, we can be set free from our sins and our former life and given a new birth – a regeneration – and become children of God. Our story can end in glory, at the hand of the father – spending eternity with Christ.
If you don’t know Jesus as your savior, your story can end in glory only if you repent of your sins and turn your life over to Him. God sent His only son to this earth to redeem it, save it and give us a hope to have eternal life with Him. When the angels announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2, they said they brought “good news of great joy!” The truth is, the birth of Christ gave us hope and we can accept His free gift of salvation by making the decision to live our lives for Him and in accordance to His will. That is really what the Christmas story is about. Hope for the lost, redemption bought with the blood of Christ on the cross for those who believe and eternal glory with the father in heaven. What greater news could there be this Christmas? If you would like to know more about accepting Jesus as Savior of your life, please follow this Link. There could be no greater gift this Christmas that the gift of a personal and real relationship with Jesus and the promise and hope in eternal glory. Won’t you prayerfully consider allowing Jesus to work in your life this Christmas?
Like these lyrics to the Christmas song say, Mary’s little boy would deliver her. When she kissed her baby boy, she kissed the face of God, the Great, “I AM.”
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you. Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God. Oh Mary did you know? The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.The lame will leap, the mute will speak, the praises of the lamb. Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.
Dear Precious Lord, Thank you for the birth of Your son, the perfect lamb and our saving grace. Thank you for the promises in Your word – the Hope in Christ and the ability to be set free and live in amazing freedom. Father, I pray for those today who feel hopeless. I pray that they would have ears to hear Your message of truth and gift of salvation. Thank you for all these wonderful ladies who faithfully read LWG everyday day and I pray that they have a joyous and Christ filled Christmas this year. In your holy name, Amen.
Amen, Dana.
I love the song you have referenced – it really makes a point. Thank you so much for sharing the words.
Blessings to you and yours.
Bless you for sharing this.
“In order for us to appreciate and understand the beauty of the birth of Christ, we have to come to the realization that without him, our stories don’t end well.”
This stood out to me today. So many times we want the happy, fairy tale ending in life but he truly is what we should seek after if we want our stories to end well.
Thanks for sharing
Dana,
Wonerful holiday post. I love this song and you do need to feel the misery to appreciate the grace. Love you. Lynn 🙂