(Originally Posted December 23, 2020)
Most of the world has not had a great year. Since we care about our neighbors many of us have surrendered traditions that, any other year, have been guaranteed: trips, holidays, or any number of things we do without questioning because “we always do that.” This year however we have been required to wait and put our hope in a future where the world could get back to something that resembles normal.
This year Christmas feels different. Time has seemed to pass in random fits and spurts. Weren’t we just complaining about summer heat yesterday, and now it’s Christmas! How did that happen? The days are long, but the months feel short. Be that as it may, in just a few days we celebrate the birth of Christ, the savior of the world.
As Christians we have been looking towards a future hope for a long time. We look forward to a time when God will strive to put right what once went wrong. Sadly, that time isn’t here yet, but at Christmas we celebrate the start, the time when God so loved us that He sent His only son to take on flesh and save us all from ourselves.
Until that time comes when all is put right, we must do our best to hold fast to hope and live up to what Paul describes as the marks of a true Christian in Romans 12:10-13:
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
This year that has been 2020 has not been easy or fun for most of us. However, there are people that will mark this year as the best they have ever had. Whatever your year has looked like we can all join together in celebrating our future hope.
Merry Christmas!