Finding Hope in a Broken World
As humans, we are wired to hope. We express this hope in various ways, from everyday conversations to our deepest desires. “I hope it doesn’t rain today.” “I hope I can do something worthwhile with my life.” We all put our hope in something, but often, these hopes are dashed, leaving us feeling broken and disappointed.
The Elusiveness of Hope
We search for hope in created things, like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree or a joyful holiday season. However, these things inevitably fade, leaving us with nothing but dried-out pine needles and a return to the harsh realities of life. Even people we celebrate with cannot be our source of hope, as they, like us, are weak and needy.
Looking Vertically for Hope
The Christmas story reminds us that true hope is not found by looking horizontally at the world around us. Instead, we must look vertically, towards God. He is the only source of steady, unshakeable, eternal hope. His holiness and love are the foundations of this hope, and they are inseparable.
God’s Holiness and Love
God’s holiness is his angry intolerance of sin, which may seem counterintuitive as a source of hope. However, without his righteous anger, there would be no cross and no salvation for sinners. His love, on the other hand, is his bountiful gift of rescue, forgiveness, transformation, and deliverance. These two aspects of God’s character meet in the person of Jesus Christ.
Admitting Our Need for Hope
To find true hope, we must first admit our need for it. This means acknowledging our sinful nature and our inability to escape it on our own. We must confess that we are wanderers and rebels, in desperate need of God’s forgiveness and transforming power.
The Doorway to True Hope
Hopelessness is the only doorway to true and eternal hope. When we give up on ourselves and our ability to save ourselves, we can seek and celebrate what God offers us in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can provide us with the hope we so desperately need.
Celebrating Hope This Christmas
As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that hope is not just a thing; it’s a person, and his name is Immanuel. May we look vertically to God, admitting our need for hope and finding it in his holiness and love. May we celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to bring us hope and redemption.
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