Christmas Hope

Merry Christmas!  I sit here in the lights of the Christmas tree enjoying the last few minutes of quiet before the day begins. Oh, it will be filled with joyful ones - excitement over giving and receiving gifts, laughter as games are played and discussions held, thankfulness over the food and, most important, the coffee pot brewing. Well maybe not most important but it is up there. However, my mind goes to why we are celebrating. It is more than just singing Happy Birthday Jesus and making sure to set out the nativity set. It is Hope itself!  The Hope that was promised all the way back in Genesis while Adam and Eve were still figuring out what had just taken place in the garden. The Hope that carried Noah and Abraham and Joshua and Ruth and David and Samuel along with so many others!  The Hope that Mary and Joseph carried from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Hope that was born that night in a stable and still carries believers now. Hope that God does love us and wants to spend time in fellowship with us. Hope that says yes, you have sinned against me but I offer forgiveness and a way to break those chains. A Hope that says I have already taken care of yesterday, today and tomorrow so trust me. May you celebrate that Hope today in everything that happens and may you still celebrate it tomorrow and the other 364 days of the year! "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11