By Marcell McGee
Do you remember the joys of Christmas growing up as a child? Your mom, brothers and sisters, decorating the Christmas tree? Then, the anticipation of finding that special gift from Santa under the tree? Remember the afternoon trip to Grandma’s house for Christmas dinner? For most, Christmas has always represented anticipation, joy, family, love, and hope.
But for many, hope is a difficult commodity to come by these days. Our hope dims with every negative story we hear, every report of violence we receive, every personal tragedy that we experience. The Christmas season for many, if not all of us, does not always represent thoughts of hope in our lives. We are confronted with individual pain, the memory of lost loved ones, the darkness of obstacles standing before us.
Maybe somewhere down the line you have disappointed your parents, your wife, your kids, maybe even God. There comes over us a sense of helplessness or hopelessness. The plans that we had in our youth for a happy life are just a faded memory. With our plans dashed, we begin to think, “Can I ever recover?” “Is there any hope for me?”
But, then we are reminded of what that little baby in the manger offers to us all. The Christmas season is a celebration of true hope.
As the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph all encountered the Christ child for the first time, they would have remembered the prophet’s words: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a HOPE.”
Our Hope is found in the manger and His name is Jesus. We have a promise of hope from God. “Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever!” 1 Peter 5:10-11.
Hope comes from the Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Do you need to experience true hope that can only come from Him?
Have a blessed day and hope filled Christmas season.
Marcell McGee is pastor of Mount Union Baptist Church, Spearsville. This editorial first appeared on his Facebook page.
