The Hope of Christmas

Luke 1:46–55 ESV

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

-The Hope of Christmas is Produced by a God-Centered Joy.

Our hope does not come from within us, but is based on something/someone outside of ourselves.

Have you ever found that celebrating the birth of Christ a little off? That it doesn’t stir you?

Illustration: Like when you’re a kid and you go to someone else’s birthday party and find it difficult to watch someone else enjoy the toys.

Our joy in Christmas come from outside of us. We rejoice in someone else’s accomplishments.

We find our Joy in who he is, not in who I am.

Our Hope is not based on a formula, or a system, or a religion, or on our accomplishments. It’s on Christ. We sing and rejoice in the accomplishments in another. Why?

Because we see in Him our only Hope. We cast aside any notion of believing in anything else but Him.

-He is totally trustworthy!