Christmas Hope

December 14, 2009

Her wish this Christmas
Was that Christmas would just pass her by
Nothing could reach her
Or answer her questions why
She feels so alone
And she wonders if all hope is gone

This verse of the song, Christmas Hope, by Newsong, describes exactly the way I felt the first Christmas celebrated after my mother passed away. Purposely I held my “joyous” emotions because of feeling guilty celebrating without Mom. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. We were all feeling left alone and all out of sorts because we had lost hope. Cancer had taken Mom away from us and at the time, celebrating was something we couldn’t do…..my Christmas wish was that it would just pass me by……

Hope is a candle

A light in the window

Showing the way for
A heart to come home

The light shown through the windows of family and friends Christ filled hearts showed the way for me to find Christ in a way I had never experienced Him. The love felt from my church family and from living a Christ-like life saved my heart from such agony and bleak despair. Christ carried me to the comforts of God’s home….. a place filled with love.

She never imagined
That for her there was hope to find
But isn’t it amazing
How God brings a heart back to life
She’s smiling now she’s finding out
What Christmas hope is all about

Oh, how true….. God has greatly enriched my life. It is His hope that shines through me. I have found the most joy from living with Him and for Him. I see life in a different light now that God has made Himself home in my heart. Yeah, there is so much “wrong” surrounding me but knowing He is beside me living along with me the “wrong” is diminished by His light and hope.

Hope is a Savior
Who was born in the manger
Sent down from Heaven
To rescue our hearts
Our Christmas hope

Because of Christ, God and I have such a close personal relationship. A relationship like no other. Because of Christ, I can reach out to God and be warmly accepted no matter how messed up I am……Because of Christ, I am a different woman, content with life, and living in God’s hope.

Hope is a present
A gift freely given
To all who receive
And open their hearts

God’s hope is wrapped in His love given as a gift with no strings attached to anyone who wants to receive it. It makes its way into open hearts no matter the age, path, or past.

Hope is a promise
For a better tomorrow
In a world filled with sorrow
We always have hope
Our Christmas hope

Thirteen Christmases ago, I couldn’t see a brighter tomorrow. I would not have believed you if you said that sorrow would be something of the past in comparison of God’s hope. I probably would have laughed in your face. But, now, understanding the true meaning of Christmas hope, tomorrow is going to be brighter because I am carrying God’s candle of hope throughout each day of my life.

Regina