Christmas is coming! There are loved ones to see, gifts to give, parties to attend. We prepare our homes for the celebration. We buy and proudly display our ugly Christmas sweaters. We gather with family and watch the plethora of Christmas specials that we always watched hoping that this sense of nostalgia will make us feel better – if even for a brief moment. Yet even more important than this outward preparation is the inward preparation of our heart.
The Advent season is a wonderful reminder to prepare our hearts as we prepare our homes — to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus! Advent means “coming” and we reflect on Jesus’ birth and prepare for His return. This week we lit the first candle in the Advent wreath: the candle of Hope.
We live in a time where many feel hopeless. The news reminds us that the world is falling apart. We’ve lost hope in our leaders, our finances, our jobs, and sadly, ourselves. We feel tired, broken, defeated and alone. Is this how we are supposed to live? What happens when the road ahead is filled with loss and stress weighs your shoulders down? When expectation for a better tomorrow fades, what can you do? How can you walk in hope when you feel hopeless inside?
In one word, the answer is “JESUS” — our hope comes from Jesus.
Hope in Jesus comes from more than just a belief that He was once a baby in a manger. This hope in Him has been called “an anchor for the soul.” It is something deep within that secures you through the storms of life.
Putting your hope in Jesus will give you many things, but here are four big ones:
HOPE FOR HELP
We are invited to come to Him and confidently ask for help. Hebrews 4:16 tells us,
“to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
HOPE TO OVERCOME
Things that leave us feeling powerless and hopeless come in many forms. With Christ’s strength you can overcome great obstacles, and faith in Jesus gives hope and help to overcome:
“and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4
HOPE FOR POWER
Sometimes in life we find ourselves with a task that simply looks too big for us. We do not just need a little of God’s strength added to our own; rather, we need His strength in us to do what we need to do. Admitting our weakness gives us access to God’s great power – And He will give it! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says,
“My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
HOPE FOR ETERNITY
When we put our faith and hope in Jesus, it not only gives us help, strength, and power for where we walk today, but it also gives us hope for life after death. It is a promise of the ultimate “tomorrow.”
The God of Hope sent His Son to be our Savior. He is alive, He is with you, and He is only a prayer away.
“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