Examples exist around us of hopelessness, broadly in the despair of our world and specifically within our own lives.  We begin to lose hope.  Hope is the expectation of what is possible in the future.  We reflect on the past year, or years, identifying the highs and lows, the joy and grief, and the moments of hope and hopelessness.  The Psalms provide examples of hopelessness, despair, disappointment, and of where we find our hope.  Our hope is in God.  Our hope is in the steadfast love of God.  God is the hope of something bigger.  Within the words of the book of Romans, we are reminded that nothing separates us from the love of God.  Hope is something bigger than. 

Scripture - Psalms 33:20-22; Romans 8:24-27, 35-39

Examples exist around us of hopelessness, broadly in the despair of our world and specifically within our own lives.  We begin to lose hope.  Hope is the expectation of what is possible in the future.  We reflect on the past year, or years, identifying the highs and lows, the joy and grief, and the moments of hope and hopelessness.  The Psalms provide examples of hopelessness, despair, disappointment, and of where we find our hope.  Our hope is in God.  Our hope is in the steadfast love of God.  God is the hope of something bigger.  Within the words of the book of Romans, we are reminded that nothing separates us from the love of God.  Hope is something bigger than. 

Scripture - Psalms 33:20-22; Romans 8:24-27, 35-39

Even in his early years, those who encountered Jesus sensed that they were in presence of a power unlike anything they had experienced before. When we encounter Jesus today, we too must choose how we will respond to His power and wisdom.

Scripture - Luke 2:21-52

The birth of Christ was both a local and cosmic event. Jesus was born to specific family from a specific culture in a specific place to change the world through a singularly influential life. He was also the Almighty God who had come back to redeem His creation.

Scripture - Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-5,14-18

The birth of Christ was both a local and cosmic event. Jesus was born to specific family from a specific culture in a specific place to change the world through a singularly influential life. He was also the Almighty God who had come back to redeem His creation.

Scripture - Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-5,14-18

The shepherds proclaimed the good news told to them by the angels—that Jesus would be their Savior, even though He was only an infant. Mary treasured their words in her heart to guide her in the future. When Scrooge sees Christmas future, he witnesses grief for the Cratchit family and his own lonely death if he doesn’t change his ways. Thankfully, Scrooge changes his ways, and his future turns out far better than he could have ever imagined. When we choose to follow Christ, we open ourselves to the blessings of the future God has in store for us rather than the devastation of a selfish life spent living for our own momentary pleasure.

Scripture - Luke 2:8–20

The shepherds proclaimed the good news told to them by the angels—that Jesus would be their Savior, even though He was only an infant. Mary treasured their words in her heart to guide her in the future. When Scrooge sees Christmas future, he witnesses grief for the Cratchit family and his own lonely death if he doesn’t change his ways. Thankfully, Scrooge changes his ways, and his future turns out far better than he could have ever imagined. When we choose to follow Christ, we open ourselves to the blessings of the future God has in store for us rather than the devastation of a selfish life spent living for our own momentary pleasure.

Scripture - Luke 2:8–20

With his engagement and plan for his life quickly collapsing due to Mary’s pregnancy—which he interpreted as infidelity—Joseph hears from God that Mary’s pregnancy is not the end of his family but the beginning of a new work of God to invite all of humanity into His family. When Scrooge views Christmas present, he sees the Cratchit family's struggles with poverty and the joy they experience in the midst of those struggles thanks to their faith. In our lives, we can choose to ruminate on our struggles (which often is a path straight to depression and despair) or we can find strength and joy in the midst of our struggles through faith.

Scripture - Matthew 1:18–25

With his engagement and plan for his life quickly collapsing due to Mary’s pregnancy—which he interpreted as infidelity—Joseph hears from God that Mary’s pregnancy is not the end of his family but the beginning of a new work of God to invite all of humanity into His family. When Scrooge views Christmas present, he sees the Cratchit family's struggles with poverty and the joy they experience in the midst of those struggles thanks to their faith. In our lives, we can choose to ruminate on our struggles (which often is a path straight to depression and despair) or we can find strength and joy in the midst of our struggles through faith.

Scripture - Matthew 1:18–25

After Mary's encounter with Gabriel and visit with Elizabeth, she sings a song remembering what God has done for her. In the story of the wise men, we see how God saved the Holy Family from Herod so Jesus could save the world from sin. In Scrooge's story, he remembers the joy and warmth of his early years, as well as how—rather than turning to God when life was hard—he allowed life’s struggles to turn him into a bitter and selfish person. It’s important for us to remember how God has already saved and protected us in our past, so that we can heal from the wounds life has dealt us (including our self-inflicted wounds) and live out God's plan for our present and future.

Scripture - Luke 1:46–56; Matthew 2:1–14