The Hope of Christmas - Dec. 7th
The Hope of Christmas - Dec. 7th
Rich Trotter
Every once in a while, when my sister and I were growing up, we’d get to spend the weekend with our grandparents. We were allowed to travel by train to their house which was several towns away. After being seen off and safely on our way, we enjoyed watching the scenery of the California coastline go by.
As we got closer to our destination, we looked forward to eating the fresh-baked cookies we knew our grandmother would have waiting for us. Sometimes when we pulled into the station, our grandfather would be standing on the platform waving at the train. Other times we’d go into the waiting area and see his smiling face through the crowd of passengers.
We always enjoyed getting cards and letters from him, and we always enjoyed talking with him on the phone, but somehow there was nothing like seeing him in person face to face.
As we travel on our journey through life here on earth, we get closer and closer to our eternal destination. We look forward to being greeted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It won’t be long until all our fears, all our disappointments, and all our challenges will at last be forgotten in His presence.
What a hope for those of us who truly believe that Jesus died on our behalf to pay the penalty for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)! What comfort to know that death will be swallowed up for all time, and that tears will be wiped away from all faces (Isaiah 25:8-9).
In Luke 2:25-38, a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna had the hope of assurance from God that they would see the Messiah who would suffer and die in the place of many. They eagerly looked forward to seeing the newborn baby Jesus. They gave thanks and praise to God that the Savior had been born.
According to the Apostle Peter, we also have a living hope of ongoing confidence. We know that we have a home in heaven reserved for us that will last forever with Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5). We too can give thanks and praise for the birth of Christ. And we know that someday we will see Him in person face to face.
What a promise, what a hope--that is the true hope of Christmas!