“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” —Romans 5:5 ESV
Pre-dawn, two days before Christmas, my family and I cautiously drove through a blizzard to the airport. For months, we had anticipated this once-in-a-lifetime escape from Canada’s winter wonderland to celebrate a feliz navidad among the palm trees of Mexico.
Moments before we reached the check-in counter at the airport, an airline official shouted an urgent announcement: All flights were canceled due to the snowstorm. Like a Christmas chorus, thousands of disappointed travelers groaned in unison before scrambling to make less-than-ideal alternative plans. The next flight wouldn’t take off for another 48 hours. What began as a fun day of travel turned into two long days of discontented waiting. Instead of spending Christmas Day enjoying sunny beach festivities, we’d endure catching cabs and flights from dawn till dusk, arriving at our destination after the local Christmas celebrations had ended.
Disappointment is often more painful than a shortened and rescheduled vacation. What are you hoping for today? Have you been waiting for answers, a new job, a restored relationship? Maybe you long for healing from physical suffering, the return of a prodigal child, or relief from unbearable circumstances.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Hebrew people had lived under an oppressive government for hundreds of years and longed for a Messiah, a Savior, a Deliverer to win their freedom to live and worship according to the Law of Moses. They had good reason to hope because God, through His prophets, had assured them a Prince of Peace was coming.
The prophet Micah foretold that a Ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem on God’s behalf and in God’s power to deliver His people. This Ruler would be honored around the world and bring peace (Micah 5:2, 4–5). Isaiah prophesied that a governing Savior would usher in a reign of fairness, justice, and peace that would never end (Isaiah 9:2–3, 6–7). Psalm 72 declared that enemies would bow and fall before this King, and other kings—from the west and the east—would bring Him tribute (Psalm 72:9–10).
But when Jesus Christ arrived, He was not what the Hebrews expected. They had envisioned a regal warrior king, not a baby born in a stable who would die a criminal’s death. Jesus didn’t meet the Hebrews’ expectations, so they rejected Him.
What the Hebrews failed to understand was that Jesus was indeed a mighty conqueror who fought for and won far more than political freedom. He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death so that all who believe in Him can experience freedom from the impossible demands of the Law and everlasting peace with God.
Governments fail us, friends and family let us down, and disappointing circumstances happen. Waiting for change is hard, and deferred hope is disheartening, but Jesus will not fail us. His ways often look different from what we expect (Isaiah 55:8–9), but He is always faithful. We can hope in Him.
Place your deferred hopes in the hands of Jesus, trusting that His ways are faithful even when they look different from what you expect.
Christmas celebrates Jesus Christ—the only hope that does not disappoint.
Additional Scripture:
Isaiah 40:1–2, 9
Psalm 39:7
Psalm 62:1
Lamentations 3:25–26
