Sunday, November 28, 2021
“It’s Time to Have Hope!”
Yes! It’s time! Finally, the Christmas Season of 2021 has arrived. Last year, the Holidays arrived with all the fanfare of the gunk molded to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. We were still locked down by the evil villain named “COVID”. Vaccines were not yet in place and we were trying to figure out which Holiday traditions could be maintained. Churches were especially hit hard as our normal Holiday interactions and attendance were but a fraction of our numbers in previous years. It was a strange and difficult season, for sure, and one that looks much better in the rearview mirror.
This year, things are a bit different. We’re still scratching our heads as COVID variants emerge, but, for the most part, we’ve returned to normal. Some traditions are restrained and larger family gatherings are still difficult to arrange, but we’re figuring it out.
There is one thing, though, that is very different about this Holiday Season: Hope has returned. I’m not sure where it went, but last year Hope was difficult to find. This year, Hope has emerged with renewed energy. Christmas lights are flying off the shelves and trees are strapped to the tops of vehicles. It seems like folks are determined to make this Holiday Season special, no matter what surfaces.
If we take a moment to think about it, choosing to be determined in finding Hope is a very healthy perspective. Hope helps us to weather a pandemic, economic distress, and heightened loneliness in life. Being determined to find Hope allows God’s work to permeate more of our lives. Why? When we are Hopeful, we are more aware of what God is accomplishing. When we are determined in Hope, we are equipped to weather the storms.
God is showing us that no matter what happens, the Hope of Christmas is real, indeed! Take some time this week to consider what God has accomplished in your life this past year. Sure, it will require us to consider some past challenges, but move quickly through those and focus on the good that God provided. It’s there. If we look closely enough, we’ll see that it’s there in abundance.
It’s time! The Hope of the LORD at Christmas is here!
“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.” (Isaiah 40:31, CEB).