Advent Guide: You BelongSample

The Steadfast Gift of Hope

For many, the holiday season means sparkling trees, glistening ornaments, and presents topped with a bow. Christmas is also a time to reflect on the hope we have in Jesus, and both the family we have in him and around the dinner table.

A hope in Jesus is rooted in solid ground and creates in us a confidence – an eagerness to see God fulfill his promises to us as his adopted sons and daughters.

Holiday events can evoke several emotions for people, and it may even be a stressful time full of anxiety, sorrow, or grief. Maybe you're walking into your first holiday without a loved one or you're hosting Christmas for the first time for the entire family. Or maybe you are celebrating with a new family member, born or adopted.

No matter how your celebrations may look this year, we can hold fast to the hope that Jesus has saved us from our sins and brings us comfort in the valleys we face.

Hope is the cornerstone of the Gospel – it carries us through soul-crushing seasons and shines to others when our hearts are overjoyed.

I encourage you to take a moment during this season to prayerfully approach your anxieties. Have hope that God will bring you peace and comfort in an uncomfortable situation. Remember our hope is rooted in the knowledge we are accepted into God's family for all of eternity with a perfect Father in a perfect place.

When we allow hope and joy to weave into our day-to-day interactions, we allow ourselves to enjoy more moments in the present.

Kayla Salzman is the internal communications manager for Buckner International. She's married to James, and they recently celebrated four years of marriage. Eventually, the Salzmans hope to welcome a child into their home whether through birth or domestic adoption, but for now, they live happily in Aubrey, Texas.