Christmas is a season of hope and expectation. Christians can and should celebrate it in this way.
From the time of the garden, the Old Testament believers anticipate the birth of Christ. God promised Adam and Eve that He would send someone from Eve’s offspring to kill the serpent and overcome the sin they had brought into the world (see Genesis 3:15). For thousands of years, man would wait, and prophets would point forward to the birth of the Messiah.
How can those who live on the other side of the cross celebrate Christ’s birth as a season of hope? How can there be anticipation for something that has already happened?
First, we can decorate in a spirit of hopefulness. This means looking forward to a time when the house will be decorated and feel celebratory and festive. We look forward to bringing others into our homes to enjoy the season. We can look forward to that Christmas feel in our homes. We decorate in anticipation of Christmas day and celebrate Christ’s birth joyfully and festively.
Second, we sing songs with a hopeful Spirit. We can do this in the worship service in the presence of other believers, as the apostle Paul calls us to in Ephesians 5:19-20. We also do so as we walk around the house and listen to the radio, or better yet, the record player, or as we go along in our cars.
The older Christmas songs are full of hope for the Christian. They bring hope of where we are headed by what started in the manger 2,000 years ago. Words like “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,” or “Joy to the world the Lord has come” are full of anticipation. We celebrate with expectation as we sing words like “Joy to the world, the Lord has come” or “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
Lastly, we are hopeful and look forward to the parties and celebrations we will participate in. It’s the people we get to see that we often don’t get to spend time with. It’s setting aside extra time to enjoy the presence of those we love. We look forward to feasting, gifting, and being in the joyful presence all because of the coming of our King.
Now, we await his second return—the coming of a King again. We are hopeful and expectant. The anticipation of the Christmas season reminds us that what was started 2,000 years ago will be completed not by His coming to a manger but by a triumphant king. We can meditate on that ultimate return when He will make everything right and take His bride, the church, with Him to be in His perfect presence for eternity.
Think About It
First, is your hope in Christ for salvation?
If it is, do you decorate, sing, and spend the Christmas season in a hopeful Spirit?
Last, do you hopefully look forward to His second coming?
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