“Hope” is  commonly used to express personal interest or wishes: “I hope the weather holds”…or “We hope to see you soon”. While we want these things to happen, we don’t know for sure that they will, and “hope” begins to carry a meaning of uncertainty.

The familiar hymn “O Holy Night” speaks about “a thrill of hope” Christ’s birth brought to earth. Israel was under the Roman Empire regime, weighed down by religious establishment.  A deliverer was promised to restore Israel to their former glory.

Hope was born into this doubtful world – the hope of forgiveness, the hope  of God’s presence on Earth, the hope of a future.

Hope for peace, for healing, for life.

This Hope, called Jesus, carries a certainty – a promise, a strength.

This is a hope to be thrilled about!

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

With best wishes for a hope-filled new year,

Bethel Place

Text inspired from The Hope of Christmas by Joe Stowell