CHRISTmas

Christmas Hope




From Merriam-Webster Online dictionary:
hope \ˈhōp\ verb
to cherish a desire with anticipation-to desire with expectation of obtainment-to expect with confidence: trust synonyms see expect



wish \ˈwish\ verb
to have a desire for (as something unattainable)-to give expression to as a wish bid -to give form to (a wish)-to express a wish for-to request in the form of a wish-to desire (a person or thing)-to be as specified-to confer (something unwanted) on someone-to have a desire want

We often use the word, 'wish' during the Christmas season-probably more than any other time of the year. Whether we are making our Christmas 'Wish List', or wishing friends & family a Merry Christmas--wishes abound this time of year. Is it wrong to wish? Or to wish someone a Merry Christmas? No--of course not! But the thing about 'wishes' is, they are not grounded in faith. Looking strictly at the definitions of the words themselves, it's clear that we don't have to believe that our wishes will come true. They sometimes represent the unattainable.

On the other hand, hope is founded on faith. Hope is the expectation of some outcome--confident in the result--expected & trusted. Our Savior came to rescue us so that we may spend eternity with our God. There's hope in that! It's not a wish or something unattainable-it's not just a desire for something. It's an outcome we can be confident in, that we can trust, if we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and we confess-repent-be baptized & live in obedience to Him.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.


Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." -Col 1:15-23