Living hopeful and being helpful does not just happen. We must be intentional about it. We must look ahead and make plans to live hopeful and be helpful.

There is a deep abiding joy that exists, when a person sees what Christmas and life is all about. We all want to be happy and many wrongly think it can be bought and at Christmas, we are more prone to pursue happiness through things that can be bought. The problem is that those things don’t last. Joy lasts. The joy of God that is ours in Christ is real and it lasts.

At Christmas, people often speak of hope. They speak of a desire to believe there is more, that there is good, and that they can have more good things and be a part of making things good. Hope is powerful. Without hope, life is hard and a burden to heavy to bear. God has come to give us hope. This hope feels us with peace. It makes life livable and our burdens light.

At this time of year, we hear many speak of peace on earth. There will never be complete until Christ returns, but we can each enjoy peace in our lives. We can know God is pleased and embrace the promises of God for our own.

Everyone wants love. We love the idea of it. So many get engaged and married at this time of year because it is a time to share and celebrate love.