22 Days to Christmas. Thursday, Dec 3, 2020

“Hope is Alive!”

Let it snow! Ahhh, a White Christmas. I’ve been dreaming of it for so long (without results) that it really doesn’t make sense to keep dreaming about it. It’s been a Christmas Wish of mine for as long as I can remember. Now that I’m living in the tropics and learning how to hang Christmas lights on palm trees, it’s probably time to develop a new “Wish” for Christmas. Sure, I can still “Bucket List” my White Christmas, but what can I wish for this year?

Our Christmas Wishes represent a piece of our HOPE in the Holiday Season. Even if our wishes are highly unlikely to occur, it’s still fun to think about them. Oh, I suppose some folks just don’t get into it, but they should. Why? Because dreaming, imagining, and fond thoughts are positive, encouraging, and downright emotionally healthy. Yes, wishes are important because they give us HOPE that life can improve.

Unfortunately, many people around us are struggling to find HOPE in the wake of a pandemic-filled world. Sometimes our circumstances seem anything but hopeful, with the notion of optimism seemingly foolish. And yet, The God of HOPE has a proven history of finding us in our desperation and renewing Hope through promise and results!

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17, CEB).

Yes! The God of Hope actually promises that dreams can be renewed AND that His Spirit would be upon all people. The same powerful Spirit promised to a young woman two thousand years ago who, being told she would bear the Messiah, asked in uncertainty, “How can this be?” And the Angel of The Lord answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.” (Luke 1:34-35).

May we cling to the Holy Spirit of HOPE this day, knowing that God’s promises endure and God’s love and HOPE are everlasting!

“Jesus looked at them carefully and said, ‘It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.’ ” (Matthew 19:26, CEB).