Putting HOPE back into Christmas

Christmas to me is making happy memories with family and friends. The indulgence of unhealthy food goes without saying, as well as a stream of children's parties to attend, an endless pile of wrapping, silly Christmas songs to either sing-a-long to or endure, and not forgetting the Santa Claus that looks a little worse for wear; or he certainly needs to eat a few more mince pies to look the part!  Joking aside, Christmas means two words to me - LOVE and HOPE. 

When the glitter and the tinsel has disappeared and normal life resumes do we feel fulfilled, do we feel hopeful regarding our future?  Life is a journey and every single one of us go through times of happiness, love and peace, but it's also only human to experience moments of struggle, hardship, doubt and worry.  

I believe the Christmas story is significant for our whole lives not just at Christmas because when Jesus came, he came to bring the world HOPE and that means me and you too in our everyday moments. This HOPE & LOVE is much bigger than any human can give, people let us down but this love is constant and never failing.

Jesus came as a light to the world; a light to shine in the darkness.  When we go through our dark moments and when we see the world in it's dark times, I believe it's time that we remembered again this amazing HOPE that God has given us.  When we put Christ back into our Christmas we also put HOPE back into our lives!  

Have a wonderful time celebrating and Merry Christmas!  

Lv Caroline x


From John 1  - Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind.  His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it. Later on, the one who is the true Light arrived to shine on everyone coming into the world.  But although he made the world, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God.  All those who believe this are reborn!—not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan—but from the will of God. And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and was full of loving forgiveness and truth. And some of us have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the heavenly Father!

This is why Jesus came, from Isaiah 61 - The Spirit of God, is on me, because God anointed me.  He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken and set those oppressed free.  God sent me to announce the year of his grace and to comfort all who mourn and give them beauty instead of ashes, messages of joy & hope instead of news of doom and a praising heart instead of a spirit of despair. 

John 16v33 - In this world you may have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.