In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we find that ordinary choices, like George Bailey’s forgotten selfless actions, can have profound impacts. Being made in God’s image and having been redeemed through faith in Christ, we can see our lives as meaningful, regardless of our accomplishments. We can also embrace opportunities to love and serve others in simple, yet significant ways.

In Miracle On 34th Street, faith is declared despite a great lack of evidence. But Hebrews 11 tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” What a joy it is that God shows us that He can be trusted. That we can be assured of the hope of our future. And that this hope is infinitely more secure because Jesus is better.

In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge found himself transformed by a vision of his past, present, and future. The story of God and the gospel offers followers of Jesus a much greater vision of our past in the virus of sin, our present in being made alive in Christ, and our future hope of God’s eternal kindness.

As we follow Jesus, we have great hope in our sufferings, knowing that God, our faithful and abiding possession, will keep us faithful to endure even as we waver in faith and joy and that we may receive the promise of what’s to come.

In this passage, the author of Hebrews speaks to two groups of people. First, he soberly warns those who have rejected Christ and His sacrifice completely. He then reminds the followers of Jesus that God is faithful to love, forgive, and sanctify His people. He does this, that both groups would draw near to Jesus, and be sure that Christ’s death was enough to cleanse all sin.

To conclude all that has been said, the author of Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s return is coming! Therefore, the author calls us to be a people who faithfully draw near to God, hold fast to Jesus, and continuously consider how to provoke one another towards increasing love and good deeds!

Jesus is the eternal high priest and the fulfillment of the new covenant. The new covenant, as described in Jeremiah 31, promises God’s law written on hearts and the forgiveness of sins, empowering believers to follow God with confidence. Believers are made perfect by Jesus’ finished work and are enabled by the Holy Spirit to choose righteousness as He ensures their eternal safety and freedom.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that God found no pleasure in the sacrifices of the Old Covenant, for these were merely a shadow that pointed to Christ’s final and sufficient sacrifice on the cross. May we then, as the people of God, learn to rest in the glorious truth that Christ has taken away sins “once for all.”

The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus’ death on the cross put away our sins “once and for all.” What a reminder this is—that followers of Jesus can trust that our sin has been removed forever! We may work to remind ourselves of this truth more and more as the day of Christ’s return draws near.

Jesus has promised to always be with us, and isn’t only present during our trials, but also embodies peace that transcends our circumstances. Just as we recognize that as the disciples faced a literal storm, we encounter figurative storms in our lives. As the ruler over the storms, He instills a peace that is rooted in His divine authority and we find strength in being anchored to Him.