The Hope that Christmas brings!!

By Helen Jesze, 22^nd December 2023

“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him’.”

Romans 15:12 NIV

As we come towards the end of another year, it is natural to look back and remember what this year has brought for us personally, for those we love and for the world in general. Probably there has been a mixture of good and difficult circumstances in most of our lives, but some people have had an extremely difficult time, fighting through illness or death of loved ones, the pain of divorce or rejection, bankruptcy or the blackness of deep depression.

Since the end of the pandemic, we are constantly hearing about people’s mental health being challenged, of fear ravaging lives in a way it had not done before; of even young people and children suffering mentally and feeling the Future holds no hope for them. The Bible tells us that in the last days, “men’s hearts would fail them for fear…”, yet there must be an answer.

We could make an endless list of violent, despairing, tragic and unjust circumstances and events happening now in the UK and around the world, as I write this devotional. What we see on the News and read in the paper is often living hell for the people who are directly caught up in particular situations and we cannot begin to imagine what they are going through.

Yet Life goes on, the sun sets and rises and the framework we live in of work, family, school, study, household jobs, faces and scenes familiar or loved gives a stability and reason for being here, in spite of all the turmoil.

Two thousand years ago, when the angel came to a young girl and told her she would have a child without the help of a man, it was a time of heartache and need. Israel, crushed and hindered by the Roman armies, mourned and hungered for freedom, their rebels crucified and tortured, but Someone had heard their cry.

Already before the foundation of the world God had provided for the sin which enslaved the men and women He had created, with its ensuing problems. There were so few He could trust to help Him. He sent prophets and priests to speak forth the Word and give His people Commandments to help them walk in His ways. Time and again they went their own way, but He never gave up, for He was a God who did not know defeat.

The prophets’ Words became more specific. The Child was to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, of the line of King David. Some said He would suffer a terrible death; others that righteousness and peace would flood the earth when He reigned as King. In every generation God sent someone to remind them that the Deliverer was coming; they called Him the Messiah – the Anointed One – and eagerly awaited His approach as a parched man waits for water. The Messiah’s name was comfort in sorrow, balm in pain, a light in darkness, the first lispings of a child and the last words of the dying – when would he come to set them free?

He came when least expected, born of the virgin Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit that she might receive the divine seed. Not born after Joseph’s kind (Mary’s fiance), but after God’s kind, the seed grew within her and a Man-Child was brought forth. His name was called Jesus, meaning that He would save His people from their sin; and because He came, we celebrate His birth – CHRISTMAS.

Yes, it really is CHRISTmas in spite of political correctness and politicians who bend over backwards to take Christ out of our lives and country, but the fact that so much of our country’s heritage was founded on Christian principles can never be taken away.

We are already singing the well-loved carols, buying the presents, stirring the pudding and cutting out the mince-pies, but the old, old message is still the same. He’s still the Saviour, touched with the griefs and sorrows of a dying, hurting world; still the Prince of Peace, whatever it looks like in the world around; still with answers for all who will look to Him and follow His directions; still calling to the people of the modern world, “Come, follow me!”

Yes, this Jesus Christ is the HOPE that Christmas brings!

To those who are going through a time of confusion or sorrow, may the comfort and peace of God warm and fill your heart, and cause you to see and hope that your Future will still be bright.

A very Merry Blessed Christmas to you all!