We Need Christmas With Matthew West Sample

5. We Need Hope

These last two years have felt like our entire world is crawling towards December. Hard times make our steps feel heavier and heavier. We reach the final month of the year exhausted by all we’ve endured. Political divides, terror attacks, supply chain shortages, racial tension, economic crisis, sickness, stress, and anxiety have dominated and darkened our days. And dark days can fool us into thinking that all hope is lost. 

But God… I love those two words! We have a God who steps into our darkness with light (John 8:12), into our brokenness with healing (Psalm 147:3), into our sinfulness with mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and into our hopelessness with hope (2 Corinthians 1:9). The message of Christmas is not just a message of hope promised. It’s the message of hope delivered. The Old Testament prophesies about a coming king were fulfilled word for word in the form of a savior born in a manger. God is who he says He is, and He does what He says He will do. 

And here is the ultimate hope we have this Christmas: The hope of heaven! Jesus was born in a stable so that 33 years later, He could lay down his life on a cross to save us from our sins and bring us everlasting life. The words from a favorite Christmas carol sum it up beautifully, “Mild He lays His glory by. Born that man no more may die.” 

With eternity promised, we are reminded that our troubles on earth are temporary. In this world, we will have trouble, but Jesus said, “take heart, for I have overcome the world.” This Christmas, I pray that you will do just that, “take heart,” take joy, take peace, take love, and take hope that is being offered to you by a God who sent his only son to be born in a manger and to die on a cross. He’s prepared a place for you. Keep your eyes up and hold on to the hope of the heaven that awaits.