hope

Every Friday after Thanksgiving – there is a star that goes up not too far from our neighborhood.
I look forward to it every year.

I don’t know who puts it up… but, it is up high on a tree and as bright as anything.

When I’m driving home in the evening I can see it from a mile away…

Sometimes, however, if it is foggy… I can’t quite see it – and I anticipate it as I get closer – knowing it is there, whether I can see it or not…

Last night was one of those nights. It was a bit foggy and up ahead the kids and I were watching for when we could see the star. “O Holy Night” was playing on the radio:

“The thrill of HOPE… a weary world rejoices.”

hope.

A couple of months ago, we celebrated the life of a family friend who went home to be with Jesus after a year long battle with a brain tumor.

Another friend… going through a divorce.

Others with lost jobs…

Here we are.

A weary world… and perhaps, a weary life.

We live in a world that is hurting… perhaps more than we have seen in our life-time.

Where is the hope?

Maybe hope is hard to see this year… maybe the fog of ‘life’ is hiding the beacon of light – and, well, it just hurts.

He knows.

Our hope is not in getting the lights up… or finding the perfect tree.
Our hope is not in being able to buy Christmas gifts.
Our hope is not in who governs us… and it is not in the job we hold.
Our hope is not even in doing good.
{I need to remind myself of these things constantly because sometimes I live like my hope is in these things.}

The truth that stands is…
Our hope is found in Jesus… and this hope – it is right in front of us… just like the star on the tree down the street.

The thrill of hope… a weary soul rejoices because Jesus – the Savior of the world, has come.

“Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.”
Psalm 31:24 MSG

#Prepare4Jesus
Immanuel.

Read more in my devotional Haywire Christmas: Inviting Jesus Into the Mess On Amazon Kindle Here.