The Hope of Christmas

"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]

At this time of year, in every store, coffee shop and restaurant, we are confronted with Christmas songs telling us to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" or "Tis the season to be jolly."

TV advertisements depict families gathered around a groaning table full of food, or a twinkling tree stuffed with presents. Churches display a serene, peaceful manger scene with Jesus' family gathered around Him smiling. Christmas is shown, as a joyful time of family togetherness and celebration.

For many people, Christmas is exactly that: a happy time of family, friends, food and merry gift giving. But for others, Christmas is just the exact opposite. It can be a tense reminder of loneliness within relationships, lost loved ones, estranged family members who have lost contact, or those who have no close family to celebrate with. Instead of feeling joy, many people feel overwhelming, unbearable anxiety and depression. Christmas can potentially be a time of hopelessness and loneliness.

The key, is not to hope for something; it's to hope in Someone. It is at these times of hurting when we remember the hope Jesus brings. Jesus came in the flesh as a little baby that first Christmas so that He could bear our punishment at the Cross and then conquer death by His resurrection.

Believing in Jesus' incarnation, death and resurrection also brings us into God's family. Although some of us may not have, or may be isolated from our families, those who have placed their faith in Jesus are part of God's family. All around the world we have brothers and sisters in Christ to fellowship with.

But, even if we are far away from our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are never alone because Jesus is right there with us. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He came to earth to be our Immanuel, the "God with us" promised in Isaiah 7:14 and He is still with us today. No matter how lonely we may feel, we are never truly alone because Jesus lives in our hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:17)

Someday we will live with Him in eternity in a place where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Advent invites us to imagine a different kind of hope, rooted in the unchanging nature of God and His promise to restore every part of His creation. Advent hope does not minimise pain or difficulty, nor does it assume things will soon get better. Instead, it faces the darkness with courage, and chooses to trust that God's promises will come to fruition.

To hope in God means to wait with patient expectation for when Jesus returns to make all things new. Such hope empowers us to persevere, to act justly, and to serve others as a sign of the restoration that will arrive through Jesus. All that has been broken by sin will be healed. All that is lost will be found.

Advent is an invitation to look forward with our heads held high. May every day of our lives be the foretaste of the upcoming Kingdom. For the world needs people with unfading hope living in their hearts.