Today’s Hope

Today’s Hope
Written by Guest Writer, Joy Mathis Chadwick

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7

I don’t know about you, but my cup runneth over from an overdose of Hallmark Christmas movies. One, or maybe two under extenuating circumstances should have been enough, but I just couldn’t let it go. I kept watching, all caught up in all the Christmas finery and the picture-perfect trees and decorations; the families were happy (at least ever after) and well dressed; the tables were laden with food fit for a king. There was always snow and caroling by a choir that never sang off-key. Santa always had the perfect beard. It was all what we’ve come to expect and anything less was just not acceptable.

But in reality in my own home, there isn’t much that would come close to picture perfect. Our modest little Christmas tree was off to a fairly good start until the king-sized puppy chewed the lights and pulled all the pretty ribbon off to the floor. I’m not sure I’ll ever find all the remains of the Christmas tree skirt. And of course all this took place while I was doing laundry and the hubby was napping on the couch; not the makings of a Hallmark movie by a long shot.

Expectations.

I wonder what the people in Bethlehem and the rest of the ancient world thought when word got out that the Son of God had been born in a cave. Isaiah had prophesied hundreds of years prior to this epic night that a King was coming; the Son of God Almighty. The people expected a royal king in all his finery, certainly not a baby born in a cave whose birth had been announced by blue collar shepherds.

Expectations.

So they denied that it could be him. Over and over and over. He wasn’t what they expected. And it continues still today; we limit God by our expectations.

Let’s not leave The Baby in the manger. Let’s make Him the Lord of our lives.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV