A Thrill of Hope: The Powerful Potential of 2024 Christmas
I can hardly believe that this is one of the last blogs of 2024! I’m sure for many of us, it felt like this year would never end. Like many of you, my family has struggled with caring for loved family members in nursing homes, as well as hospitalizations, illnesses, and deaths of family members and dear friends.
But together, we have survived 2024 and its many tremendous difficulties. Although I can’t say that I am thankful for all the hardships we endured, especially as I grieve for those who lost loved ones or their friends, and all the division in our Country as we navigated a tense election and a world in turmoil, I am grateful to have gone through these experiences.
To those who are not Christians, that last sentence may be shocking to read. How can someone be grateful to have gone through hard times? The answer for those who place their hope in Jesus is written all over the Scriptures, but this verse might sum it up best:
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 3:3-5).
I think it’s safe to say that many of us have more character now than we did in January. We have learned patience, perseverance and selflessness to new degrees. The good news for those of us who are Christians is that we are also more hopeful than ever - hopeful of God sustaining us through any future problems that may come. Hopeful for a new Heaven and a new Earth free from fear and pain. Hopeful for Jesus’ return just as Mary, the mother of Jesus, was hopeful for His birth after a difficult pregnancy that made her a community pariah in many ways.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas after this unique year, I am reminded of the line from the song “Oh Holy Night” that describes Jesus’ birth as “a thrill of hope.” Jesus’ birthday is really all about hope. It would not be for another 30+ years that He would hang dying on the Cross as the payment for our sins and redeem all of humanity (who places their faith in Him alone for their salvation). But in His grace, God did not send Jesus to earth as a fully grown man, although He certainly could have. Instead, he sent Jesus as a baby, a baby who could not do much other than provide hope for redemption and salvation.
My prayer is that each of us would celebrate this Christmas with a heart full of hope as we honor the dear Savior’s birth, and carry that hope into 2025, remembering all that He has done for us. We have peace knowing that by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our sins have been forgiven and that we will have eternal life with Him, not because we deserve it or earned it. It is His free gift to us by His grace, mercy, and love toward us. But we must receive the gift for it to be ours. Be sure that you have received the most important gift offered to you this Christmas. What an amazing gift He has given us indeed!
And if you have any questions about your faith, or how you too can participate in the amazing peace that Jesus offers by placing your faith in Him alone for your salvation and having the assurance of your sins forgiven and eternal life in Heaven with Him, please reach out to me at larry@larryodonnell.com. Merry Christmas!
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