The headlines of 2020 can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Christmas reminds us that Hope is Here. We need that message now more than ever. The world is filled with division, a lack of trust, violence, fear, and uncertainty. COVID-19 has interrupted everything! But Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem was an interruption, too. It came with an imposed census and an unplanned journey. The census wasn’t just to count heads—it was to collect taxes. It was a bad time for another bill. Mary was pregnant, but God was sovereign. He was working behind the scenes to fulfill prophecy. He always knows what He’s doing.
Romans 15:12 says, “And again, Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.’” The root of Jesse is Jesus. He is the Promised One, the Messiah, the Christ, born in Bethlehem. Because Jesus came, hope is here. He is Immanuel—God with us. In the next verse, Paul writes, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (v. 13). This is my prayer for you and your family as we reflect on the Christmas season and look ahead to the new year.
The Source of Hope
Paul refers to God as the God of hope. That means we do not have to fear the future, because we know the One who holds the future. The Christ who was born in Bethlehem is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Nothing surprises Him. Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?
“When you have God, you have hope. If you do not have God, you have no hope.”
True hope is not wishful thinking or simply being more positive. Our hope is in God, and nothing is too difficult for Him. No matter how bad things may seem, God has the final word. The old song says it best: “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”
The Support of Hope
Romans 15:13 continues, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…” The best support system you’ll ever find is the local church. A recent Gallup poll found that mental health in 2020 was at an all-time low—except for one group: those who regularly attend worship services. Hope is here!
Problems are like bananas—they come in bunches. But hope comes in bunches, too. When you read about hope in the Bible, it usually appears in threes. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.” You can lose your job, your health, your money, or your home, but if you have these three, you can still make it. In Paul’s prayer, we see that hope doesn’t come alone. It comes with joy and peace. Just like the wise men brought three gifts to Jesus, He wants to give you three gifts this Christmas—joy, peace, and hope.
Luke 2:10, 14 says, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
The Strength of Hope
Paul prays that his friends “may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Abound means to overflow. God doesn’t want your life to be controlled by past sins, regrets, failures, or hurts. Stop focusing on what others have done to you and start remembering what God has done for you. Hope is the confidence that your future will be better and brighter than your present.
“Hope puts an exclamation point where doubt puts a question mark.”
Our family’s life verse is Jeremiah 29:11, which says that Jesus came to give us a future and a hope. The future is as bright as the promises of God. The best is yet to come for those who believe. The enemy loves to place question marks where God has placed periods. “Does God really exist? Is it really worth it to serve Him?” Hope silences those lies.
Scripture reminds us:
- “Save me and I will be saved; heal me and I will be healed” (Jer. 17:14).
- “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).
- “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be their peace” (Is. 54:13).
- “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Is. 54:17).
- “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).
- “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28).
- “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us… Nothing shall separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:37-38).
Hope is here! Your future will be greater than your past. You are going to be OK. Let these truths sink into your soul. Be reminded of our source of hope and of the support and strength that hope brings. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Because He lives, we can face a new year. And if you don’t have a church home, we’d love for you to experience that hope with us. Plan a visit and see what God can do in your life.