"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there"
In
Hope~
confident expectation that something good was going to happen.
I remember last year, at this time, when we were awaiting
the arrival of our first born’s baby,
who was awaiting the birth of her first born.
I remember my heart exploding with such joy,
as I was thinking about this blessed gift that will soon make his/her first cry,
that I knew would change all our lives forever.
We waited
with great anticipation and great joy!
Aren't we all waiting for something or someone?
What are you waiting for?
Did you know your wait stops now,
because whatever you are waiting for
is found under
the swaddling cloths that clothed
The Baby
that the world waited for?
When Jesus was born
there was a desperate need in a helpless, hopeless world,
due to the 'ole sin nature inside all of the people back then
just like us.
Sin
that God can’t look upon.
Sin
that separates us from God.
It was at that time
when the external sacrificial practices to atone for sin,
had no power to change the hearts of man.
I feel God threw up his hands, and said to Jesus~
"Go down there my boy.
They just don’t get it.
They just can’t get it right.
It is time to help them once and for all. "
So
This Baby
became
The better way,
The only way.....
because the old way wasn’t working.
The Better Hope
as Hebrews 7:19 tells us:
"A better hope (JESUS) is introduced,
by which we draw near to God.”
The Better Hope
which brings us into the presence of God!
The Better Hope
in all things;
than anything or anyone where we place our hope.
Hope born into our helplessness.
Isn’t that what hope i~s
hoping things change, hoping that they get better?
Well
This Baby
birthed a better way,
when He became the Living Hope.
Hope is in the Perfect
as He is the Perfect gift.
Hope~
A confident expectation and desire.
A confident expectation that good things are coming.
Hope is certainty.
It isn’t the “maybe it will happen" kind of hope,
because
The Baby
could be touched!
Hope is strong confidence in the promises of God.
" Hope is not a granted wish or favor performed;
no, it is far greater than that.
It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God
who loves to surprise us out of our socks
and be there in the flesh to see our reaction. " (MAX LUCADO)
Hope fulfilled in
The Baby~
New Birth
“Behold I make things new”
Isaiah 43:19
Where do you need a newness, a new birth?
What are you hoping for?
I hope I get the job.
I hope I can make it through this?
I hope my relationship gets better?
I hope he/she changes?
I hope I can pay the bills?
I hope I can get out of bed?
I hope I lose 10 pounds....and keep them off?
If
Jesus
is your
Hope~
then the answers to your hopes do not matter
because
He is
Always the answer.
He is the hope that completes His answers for you.
Hope~
Is a precious gift that we have to cleave to.
just As a baby cleaves to it's mother we are to cleave to this baby…
Our Hope~
The Heart of Christmas