What is it about the Christmas season that fills our hearts with eagerness, anticipation and excitement, like no other time of the year? What is it that makes us want to rush in it’s presence, earlier and earlier? We love it! We look forward to it! It is all of our favorite things, everything we love, wrapped up into one. There’s something it brings that we allow to slip through our fingers the rest of the year. It’s something we’re missing. It’s something we’re thirsty for. I would suggest that this void, this thirst within us for which we are parched, revolves around two things: Hope and Joy.
Perhaps what I love most about Christmas, in a word, is HOPE! It’s this childlike wonderment re-awakening in my heart that anything can happen! It’s the little girl in me beginning to dream again. Christmas brings out the kid in us, who far too often disappears throughout the remainder of the year. As we grow older we live life bracing ourselves for disappointment. We live life safe, scared to hope for something better. We wrestle with questions–“Is God really scripting great plans for me? Does He really want to make my life beautiful, and even if He does, can He? Will He?”
Over two thousand years ago, God looked down on a hopeless and oppressed people. He saw how life had battered them, torn them apart, and shattered their dreams of a prince coming to save them. And, it tore His heart in two–so much so that He was willing to leave paradise and His family for 33 years and risk everything to bring them hope again! He came to the rescue. He boldly lit up the heavens and cranked up surround sound amidst the clouds with heart pounding, soul stirring melodies to say “I have not forgotten you! I AM HERE! I keep My promises!” To the wisemen came His message, “Sometimes you really do find what you’re searching for!” To the shepherds, “Sometimes dreams really do come true!” And to His people, He emphatically proclaimed, “I will rescue you!”
Dear friends, God has not changed! His heart is still aching for and passionate about giving us hope once again! Has your heart been battered? Have your dreams been struck down? Have you been stripped of your joy? Are there things you’re scared to wish or hold out for, things you’re terrified to believe might come true, lest disappointment should rock your world again?
Hear His words: “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11).
In the same way parents anticipate surprising their children with presents they were hoping for at Christmas, so our Heavenly Father anticipates and finds pleasure in surprising us beyond our highest hopes! He promises “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (I. Corinthians 2:9).
If it is on your heart, if it matters to you, it matters to Him! I implore you, hear your tender Heavenly Father bending over you this Christmas saying “I will give you joy, or add to the joy you already have, and make it more full than you could have ever imagined, because I love loving you!! I want to see you beaming and glowing from ear to ear! I want to hear you shouting and see you leaping for joy! I want to make you that happy! My darling, precious child, I love you beyond words and measure! I have fabulous plans for you! They will take your breath away! They will leave you speechless! Dream again!! Dream and hope, like you did as a child! I want you to experience what it is to truly live!”
Yes, we have a Father who has surprises in store for us far more spectacular than anything we’ve ever found beneath the Christmas tree! Surprises that can’t be contained in a box or bound up in wrapping paper! Let Him fill you with contagious joy! Let Him restore your hopes! The same One who did not forget about His people two thousand years ago has not forgotten about us! We have a Father who keeps His word! We have a Father who delights in making our dreams come true! He is here! He’s standing on your doorstep, asking, hoping you’ll let Him into the home of your heart, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime! You see, spending time with you is what He wants for Christmas!
Are you searching for joy this season? Are you in need of hope? Search no more!
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