It is my favorite time of the year! When I was little, it was Santa and presents. Now that I’m older it has become so much more than that!
“A thrill of Hope, a weary world rejoices.” What is Hope?
Hope: To desire or anticipate with the expectation of fulfillment, confident expectation.
For centuries, Israel had been hoping for the Messiah, waiting for Him, expecting Him. After all, God had promised, and as Psalm 145:13 reminds us, “God is faithful to all his promises.” Still, the Israelites had been waiting for a very long time.
No doubt many of them had ceased to live in expectation.
Perhaps all of the religious rituals they observed no longer kept many of them looking for the Messiah so much as doubting He would ever come. Perhaps that’s why the vast majority of them didn’t notice when He came—they weren’t looking for Him.
It seems they had forgotten one simple truth: God is always at work.
While they were bustling through Bethlehem, an innkeeper was turning away the very Messiah they were hoping for. As they nestled snug in their beds, the Son of God came very near. They just didn’t know it.
Of course, God is still working, though His people don’t always realize it. He still fulfills His promises. He still comes near and walks among us.
The question is: Are we looking for Him?
Do we expect to see Him work among us? Do we watch for Him more than a night watchman waits for morning to come? Do we long to see His face?
As Christmas approaches, we would be wise not to make the same mistake the people of Bethlehem made. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we must focus our minds and hearts on Christ.
We must expect to encounter Him each day for He has promised “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Oh, let us seek Him this holiday season! As we search for gifts and shop for presents, we must remember it is God’s gift to us that brings hope.
Without Christ, there is no Christmas.
Whitney Buzbee writes for Bibb Community Media in Centreville.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.