Celebrating the Season of Hope

One of my favorite  Christmas songs is the Andy Williams version of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It’s a song that certainly shares my sentiment about the holiday season. I love Christmas time. I have to admit, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is not my favorite part of Christmas. But, it’s the spirit of Christmas that warms my heart. Although people are celebrating in different ways for different reasons, their Christmas shopping represents the spirit of giving. Whether it’s giving to friends and loved ones, or giving to those who are less fortunate and in need, there is something about Christmas that brings out that spirit in most of us. It’s the giving of gifts. It’s the giving of kindness. It’s the giving of a smile, or a helping hand.

Another facet of the holiday season that is attractive to me is the spreading of “good cheer” that seems to be prevalent. We share a common bond with our fellow man and we tend to step outside of our little box, our comfort zone to share a smile or a good word with a complete stranger.

Without question we live in troubled times. There is world-wide unrest, personal tragedy and grief, financial stress, and many other problems. Yet, at this time of the year, there seems to be a renewed hope for the future. The hope of better times, of healing, and a brighter future. And it’s a time when it seems that we put our differences aside, and we come together to celebrate Christmas . We celebrate the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord. He is the very essence of giving. And He is the source of the hope that we all so desperately long for.

So as you celebrate Christmas, in whatever manner you choose to celebrate, and regardless of your circumstances, it is my wish and prayer for you that the hope of the season will fill your heart, and that the spirit of giving will encompass your life not just at Christmas but throughout the coming year. Have a very Merry Christmas and the best new year ever!