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As we embrace this Christmas season, we are entering the first week of Advent, which carries the theme of hope! Let’s talk about hope. When used in a Biblical context, hope is a wonderful word. Hope can also be used in another context that is less productive. For instance, some people say, “I hope my life gets better,” or “I hope my relationships improve.” All of us carry this type of hope in our hearts … but it’s the kind of hope that says, I am not going to get involved, respond, or make any changes, rather, I will simply sit back and hope. This is not the kind of hope we find in the Bible.

Elpis is the Greek word used in the Bible for hope. This word can also be translated as anticipate, welcome, or prepare as though you know something is about to happen. Hope also refers to an expectation of a certain outcome. The biblical view of hope is not, I hope my life gets better. The Biblical view of hope is that my life will get better because I serve a good God and I am going to do what it takes to make things better.

Friend, there is a great need for hope, isn’t there? In order to succeed in life, you need to have hope. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” There is no greater hope than this one. During this Christmas season, remember that Jesus’ entrance into the world brought great hope to you and me. You can have hope in the good God you serve!