The Season of Hope - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 3

The Season of Hope
By Meg Bucher 

“O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O LORD? You are entirely faithful.” - Psalm 89:8 NLT

“It’s here!!!” Though not as thick as the one delivered in my childhood, the toy catalog brought a lot of excitement to our house each holiday season. Things my kids didn’t even know existed became things they hoped they would get for Christmas. 

The Christmas Season has also been called the Season of Hope. Much deeper than the wishes circled in toy catalogs and commercialized in gift wrap, Hope is anchored in the faithfulness of God. The psalmist wrote, “You are entirely faithful.” Christmas reminds us of the evidence of God’s faithfulness. Though we cannot see Him, we know He works miracles. We trust the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Psalm 36:5 reads: 

“Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.” Psalm 36:5 NLT

Beyond the clouds! The clouds are layered into the sky as the seasons change in the North, ushering in the holiday season. What causes those last leaves to cling to the trees after the winds of change have scattered the rest amidst the ground? God’s creation reminds us of His consistency. He is faithful. His beauty permeates every atmospheric change. He is in charge of the change. Our hope is in Him because of Who He is …entirely faithful.

Christ Jesus was born a babe in Bethlehem, proof of God’s faithfulness and love. He didn’t have to save us or show us how much He loved us. He wanted to. He is entirely faithful. He is in charge of the change. The VOICE paraphrase of Psalm 89:8 reads:

“O Eternal God, Commander of heaven’s armies, who is mighty like You? You are completely faithful; that’s why we trust in You.”

“How is your hope?” an article, “Hope Bible Verses,” compiled by Bible Study Tools Staff, asked, “Does it bounce back after being hit? Does it cause you to doubt when you lose hope in a situation? God knows that we all struggle with finding and holding onto hope.” Christmas is an opportune time to remember the babe born in Bethlehem, coming down from heaven to bring us hope without end. The author of Hebrews wrote: 

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Hebrews 10:23 NLT

The birth of Jesus reminds us of the faithfulness of God. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The world is chaotic, but God is in control. The Christmas season itself brings an additional element of busyness. Jesus came into the world by God’s design and in His time. There is nothing that surprises God. We, too, were born under His timing and orchestration. He is always aware, ready, and active. God does not need to sleep. He is mighty to save and defends us with a heavenly army of angels. He is the God of miracles. The Voice paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11 reads:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope- never forget that.”

Christmas gives us an opportunity to embrace a season of hope. God’s people looked forward to the coming Messiah for centuries. Faithfully, He came and brought hope which does not fade when the Christmas lights are taken down. It remains constant, as God remains faithful. Our hope, daily, is in Him.

Father, 
Thank You for Christmas and the reminder this season of Hope brings to our hearts and homes. Thank You for the lights which brighten dark and long winter days, reminding us Jesus brought light and hope into a dark and hopeless world. Father, we embrace Your hope and faithfulness and pray it propels us into obedience and big risks as we faithfully follow Your Son, Christ Jesus, by the gift of His Holy Spirit. 
In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Further Reading 

• Psalm 91:4-6
• Isaiah 7:14
• Matthew 1:21
• Luke 2:6-7

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Natalia Semenova

Meg is a graduate of Ashland University. She is a writer, author, editor, and digital content creator. She stepped away from her job in Internet Marketing in 2008 to raise her daughters, which gave her passion for writing a chance to shine through her blog, Sunny&80… Life within the Love of Christ. Meg has served as a Children’s Worship Team Leader and Middle School Leader for her local church. She founded and led the Breakfast Club Bible Study for Tweens, has served as a Young Life Leader and Committee Member, and led Women’s Bible Study. She has also volunteered as a content creator for her local church, studied Bible/Ministerial Training through Global University, and completed COMPEL PRO Writers Training. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the team at Salem Web Network. You can find her entire library of books on her Amazon Author Page. 

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!