May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
All our lives we are taught to believe in things we cannot see. Early on we are rewarded by the tooth fairy for leaving that baby tooth under a pillow before we go to sleep. On Easter morning we wake up with anticipation to see what treats the Easter Bunny left in our baskets. And of course, at Christmas there is much anticipation about the arrival of that jolly old man dressed in the red suit that travels around the globe in a reindeer driven sleigh.
While all of these things may seem trite (or overtly commercial) in nature, I think all of them help us better understand how the HOPE in the Christmas story is much more than just a tale passed on from generation to generation.
At Christmas, God put into motion a plan that we’re still talking about today, not just at this time of year, but every day. Not only did God provide HOPE for everlasting life, through the teachings of Jesus he helped us all learn how to provide HOPE to others. That HOPE is at work in ministries like Recovery, the Welcome Table, and the Pukuka Church and School in South Sudan. The Holy Spirit fills the lives of the young disciples who’ve made it through Confirmation, the missionaries who have traveled to place like New Orleans and to New Jersey and the list goes on and on. When God sent Jesus he provided us hope, that despite all that’s wrong with the world, things can be made right just by following him.
Not too long ago my family visited a nearby church that for years had fallen victim to the all too often scenario of just “doing church” instead of working to grow disciples. It had become known as a BIG church with a lot of empty spaces. As we walked into the Sanctuary that morning, nearly every pew was filled and the minister called out to the ushers to ask if there were any bulletins left, to which they simply replied “no.” At that moment a round of heavy applause began and you could hear the “Amens” ring out. HOPE for a better day had come to this struggling congregation. It was a gift of HOPE that first came at Christmas and continues to be a gift that keeps on giving!
Clayton Hensley
Not too long ago my family visited a nearby church that for years had fallen victim to the all too often scenario of just “doing church” instead of working to grow disciples. It had become known as a BIG church with a lot of empty spaces. As we walked into the Sanctuary that morning, nearly every pew was filled and the minister called out to the ushers to ask if there were any bulletins left, to which they simply replied “no.” At that moment a round of heavy applause began and you could hear the “Amens” ring out. HOPE for a better day had come to this struggling congregation. It was a gift of HOPE that first came at Christmas and continues to be a gift that keeps on giving!
Clayton Hensley
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