Romans 4:18–24; 8:24–25; 15:13
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we knelt beside Mary and Joseph at the manger and joined their adoration of God’s gift to the world. We imagined eternity in the eyes of the Christ child, who “existed in the beginning with God” (John 1:2). We recognized Jesus as the embodiment of “the very character of God” (Hebrews 1:3), in whom we saw:
- Grace—divine favor toward undeserving humankind
- Truth—reliable principles for living
- Love—infinite compassion for sinners
- Hope—resilient confidence in a certain future
Soon, we’ll take down the tree, tuck away the twinkling lights, and box up the nativity set. And yet, while the figurine in the manger may return to storage, God’s gift of Jesus—a gift “too wonderful for words” (2 Corinthians 9:15)—remains in our hearts.
As we anticipate the New Year, we’ll focus on Jesus as the gift of God’s hope by examining three principles hidden in three Hebrew words for hope; these principles will carry us through whatever unknown lies just around the bend.
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