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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
(John 1:1–5, 9–13)
In these last few days before Christmas, we will focus on preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Jesus—the Light of the World—and let hope build in us.
Darkness has a way of telling us we are stuck. All of us have walked through circumstances in which we felt like nothing could ever change. When we look around us, it seems there are plenty of reasons to think hope will never come and relief is not possible. But the very presence of Jesus changes that.
The promise of a Savior was the promise that hope is never really lost. Jesus made a way for us to be children of God and have access to his love and power. We’re now under his provision and never left alone in the dark.
When we look for God—keeping watch for him and expecting to find him in all things—there is an unlimited supply of hope! God is not confined to what we can see or what our experiences tell us. His ability, presence, and perfect love have made a way, and darkness is never the end of the story because hope is not about having good odds; it’s about knowing a good God.
As we approach Christmas this week, let’s ask God to open our eyes and help us see the gift of his presence. Let’s get our hopes up, anticipate his presence, and expect him to work in all things. When we look for him, we will find him; and wherever we find him, we find a way out of the dark.
Pray
God, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for making a way to be in relationship with me. Thank you that because of you, what feels dark and hopeless is never the full picture. Help me to look for you today and keep watch for your presence. I trust you are in all things and working all things for my good. As I search for hope, take my eyes off my circumstances and focus my gaze on you. Give me the courage to anticipate and let me feel the thrill of hope.
