Submitted by: Jane Ahl, Assistant Conference Coordinator
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with god though our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5
Since the beginning of time, the children of Israel have looked forward to, with hope and perseverance, the coming of the Messiah. Prophets throughout the history of Israel spoke of his coming and what it would mean to the people. So Hebrew Literature, Music and ceremonies all gave indication of the hope they had in the coming Messiah.
Today we are not unlike the children of Israel. We face trials and tribulations like they did. For me, I face the unknown of the next duty station. The unknown of what war will bring to me as my husband and children go to serve their country. Will my children grow up to be Godly people? Will I be the women God has called me to be as a mother and a wife? When our Christian character goes through hardship, hope of receiving what God has promised grows stronger. We know that hope of great future blessings will not turn out to be false because the Holy Spirit gives lavish evidence in our hearts of God’s love for us. Now in James, it tells us to count it all joy when we face trials and tribulations. In Thessalonians, it tells us that even persecution will come. So we are to hold fast to the hope we have in Christ.
After Christ birth, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple e to be blessed. On the way they met Simian, who had always prayed and hoped to see the coming Messiah. He saw in Jesus the true and only hope for this world, the true Messiah. God answered Simian’s prayer by allowing him to see Jesus, the messiah of the world, before he went on to be with God.
So as we celebrate Christmas this year, and we go through the advent season, let us always remind ourselves that our hope is only in Christ, that not money, politics, medicine or anything will deliver our soul from despair, confusion, hatred, jealousy and strife. With Christ in our lives, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, our hope in Him will reign eternal.
May the Lord’s Glory reign in your lives not only in this Christmas season, but for eternity!
