When Christ was born, so was our hope

“When Christ was born, so was our hope.” Max Lucado

“….And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15b NLT

            This week many children of all ages are hoping they receive what they asked for from the man in the red suit or whoever represents him in your circle of influence. From the Bitzee interactive toy digital pet, to anything Barbie, to the Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo complete with figures and race cars for the youngsters, to the hottest video games, cell phones, and latest in digital devices for the coming of age crowd, not to forget the big toys for the big kids; all have that hope they will receive that requested gift on Christmas morning.

            ‘Hope’ defined by most dictionaries is; ‘to cherish a desire with anticipation:to want something to happen or be true.’ All of us hoping for that gift have the desire to have that hope come to realization. Although, if we are honest with ourselves, we know it does not always hold true. Oh, it is true the one supplying the gift will do everything possible they could to insure the granting of the request, but unavoidable circumstances beyond their control always get in the way.

            Biblical hope is never affected by unavoidable circumstances. Biblical hope is fixed. It is guaranteed. Biblical hope is the future confidence in expecting all that God has promised will come to pass. God has promised that all who believe in His Son Jesus for salvation will be saved from the wrath to come and will have eternal life with Him. Our guaranteed hope, as Max Lucado described it, was born as Christ entered the world on that first Christmas morning. God’s promise to reconcile us back Himself through Christ by defeating Satan on the cross was fulfilled. (Gen. 3:15) Our hope, our assurance of salvation, was born in Christ Jesus.

            Our Christian (Biblical) hope is far different from hoping to receive the latest got-to-have gadget for Christmas. Our hope in Christ is sure, guaranteed and lifesaving. It is backed up by a holy God who does not lie and can do all things. As the apostle Peter says to us this Christmas, “…….if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”