No doubt about it: Christmas is going to look different this year. Some folks (like me) will opt to scale back the decorating. Church and school programs won’t be presented, parades won’t be processing down Main Street, and fewer families will be cozied up at Grandma’s house for gift giving and feasting.
As if mocking the disappointment already rooting in our spirits, Andy Williams comes on the radio singing, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”—about friends coming to call, parties for hosting, and caroling out in the snow.
But wait. Perhaps this year could become a different kind of wonderful. Perhaps with less holiday preparation to complete and fewer activities to attend, we’ll have more time to revel in the preparation of our hearts.
How might we do that? According to pastor/author Handel H. Brown:
An attitude of expectancy includes an outlook of hope—hope in God’s provision for the here and now, and hope for what is to come. Even as we celebrate Christ’s first appearance on earth, we look forward to his second coming when he will “take us to heaven, to live with him there” (1).
Too often I’ve counted down the days until the Christmas tree is glowing, or the family is gathered, or the gift-exchange can finally take place. Those are all superb delights, but they quickly fade into wisps of memory.
We Christians can revel with expectant hope in a countdown of more substantive delight and importance. Peter called it a living hope, based as it is on our living Savior (1 Peter 1:3).
This hope is not just a feeling that fades like the euphoria of Christmas—once family members have departed and decorations are boxed and shelved. No, this hope is absolute certainty, placed in our faithful, eternal God . Everything he has promised he will deliver.
So how do we muster expectant hope? By immersing ourselves in God’s Word.
Hope is living constantly, patiently,
expectantly, resiliently, joyously
in the word of God.
–William Stringfellow
Here’s one scripture that fills me with expectant hope. See if these words don’t lift your spirit as well:
“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death.
“This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.
“They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God’s power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time”–1 Peter 1:3-5 GNT (2).
Praise God for his mercy!
Praise him for the new and abundant life he provides!
Praise him for all the blessings of past, present, and future!
Praise him for the perfected life yet to come–with him in heaven!
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas by immersing ourselves in such scriptures, expectant hope is bound to well up and produce wonderful results.
In addition:
“Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.”
–Unknown
So let’s put the WONDERFUL into Christmas 2020 with renewed, expectant hope in our glorious Father.
Let’s create the atmosphere for miracles!
What scripture fills your spirit with expectant hope? Please share in the comment section below!
Notes:
- The last line from “Away in the Manger,” based on John 14:2-3.
- Other scripture passages to explore that foster expectant hope: a) Isaiah 9:6-7 (See also a previous post, “His Name Shall Be Called.”) b) Isaiah 40:28-31, c) Ephesians 1:3-13, d) 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.
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This is a beautiful word, Nancy. Thank you!
So many scriptures fill me with expectant hope, particularly this well-known favorite:
John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Praise God! I’m a ‘whosoever!’
Thank you, Linda. You are so right: John 3:16 is a foundational verse for sure! Praising God with you, to be another “whosoever!”
Yes, Nancy, this will be a different Christmas for so many of us in 2020, but it also gives us more time to reflect upon God’s blessings, and to place our hope and expectancy where it truly belongs – Jesus coming into the world to save sinners, and giving us the promise of eternal life through belief in Him. I do love the scripture you have shared with us here today. And I’d have to say, I agree with Linda on a favorite of mine.
Blessed Advent to you, my friend!
Thank you, Martha. With you I praise God for his inexpressible gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)!
Thank you so much, dear Nancy… this is a beautiful reminder. I am currently holding on to Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
That is a wonderful verse to hold on to, Heidi!
My favorite verse during this time is Luke 1:38
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Little did she know how events would unfold, yet it would appear Mary took everything in stride: the trip to Bethlehem, the birth of her first baby in a stable-cave, a prophecy of foreboding from Simeon, a sojourn to a foreign country–and all while just a teenager. Her Magnificat recorded in Luke 1 gives indication of the level of her faith and spiritual maturity. She was ready to “let it be according to God’s plan.” Now my challenge is to be as strong and accepting as Mary!
Amen and amen 🙏🏽
love your message of hope and positivity!!
Thank you, Jean–this is the year for an extra measure of both!
Thank you for these beautiful reminders, Nancy. What a wonderful quote from Stringfellow. And that little child’s face! May we, likewise, gaze inward, upward, outward . . . then forward, in hope.
I love this soundbite from Psalm 5:3: “wait in expectation”
That’s it exactly–wait in expectation! Thank you for that, Laurie. I’m so glad you liked the Stringfellow quote. Those adverbs certainly stirred up hope and resolve! for me.
I read recently that David comforted himself in hard times by worshipping. Worship helps us remember who, and how great, God is. This is our greatest comfort. Thank you for helping me remember this.
Oh, yes–worship is transforming! “Even contemplating what little we do know [of God] dissolves doubts, reinforces faith, and restores joy”–Ruth Graham. Continuing to pray for your healing, Susan!
Isaiah 9:6 fills me with hope during this time of unrest in our world: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” It serves to remind me that in Him I have everything I need. He is my counselor, my Father, and the Prince of Peace. John 14:3 is a source of great hope as well: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” This world is not my home; my Father is making ready my home for all eternity. Lovely and encouraging post, Nancy.
Those names listed in Isaiah 9:6 speak to our greatest needs, don’t they? I’m so thankful our Heavenly Father exercises his wisdom, power, loving ways, and peace in our lives. And of course that’s not all! I wonder how long of a list we could generate?!
Reblogged this on Disablities & all sorts of Mental Health Issues.
Thank you, Ken!
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for another reminder of where our hope should be. I love the verse that says, “At the renewal of all things, Christ shall sit upon His thrown.” What we think is lost is only for time, not Eternity.
Have a Merry Christmas,
Gary
On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 1:50 PM From the Inside Out wrote:
> Nancy Ruegg posted: ” No doubt about it: Christmas is going to look > different this year. Some folks (like me) will opt to scale back the > decorating. Church and school programs won’t be presented, parades won’t be > processing down Main Street, and fewer families will” >
Thank you for YOUR reminder, Gary. That verse about renewal, and Christ on His throne does stir up hope and expectation!
Another great post, Nancy! I especially like – preparing our hearts with expectancy… And that is the way we should always approach Christmas. It’s a holiday of great hope and promises of the good God has planned for us!
You’ve got me thinking, Sheila. We can prepare our hearts with expectancy every day, no matter the season. In fact, among my prayer cards is this one: “Open my eyes, Lord, to find all you have prepared for me in this precious day of life” (based on p. 50 of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young). It’s a life-enhancing habit I want to cultivate into 24/7 hope and joy!
Nancy, good morning! I love your whole concept of a different kind of wonderful. Viewing and embracing this season through these Christ-honoring lenses is an invitation to say yes to.
Thank you for that prompt! Bless you …
Thank YOU, Linda, for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I pray this Advent season is already proving to be a different kind of wonderful for you!
Thanks for this, Nancy. It’s a boost for our spirits and a reminder of what counts most at Christmas.
Thank you, Cynthia. I needed the reminder too!