Hope

 Too good to be true. I am sure we are familiar with this phrase, especially this time of the year. Sales are everywhere, and we hope what we see and hear concerning money-saving deals is not too good to be true and not fraudulent. Unfortunately, this common idiom can cause people to be skeptical and wary about something that appears too good to be true. Although this way of thinking is beneficial to help avoid deceitful intentions or attaining something of lower value, what if we hear or see something that is good and true and miss it?

As we begin this advent season, we will prepare to celebrate the arrival of a Savior that happened over two thousand years ago in the small town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). In this time, we will hear accounts from Scripture, hymns, and songs about something that seem too good to be true – the birth of a child who the Prophet Isaiah proclaims will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). As Christ-followers we know this to be true because each of us through the power of the Holy Spirit come to understand this is good and true. The hope we have is found in Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14; 1Peter 1:3). My friends, as we enter this Christmas season (Advent), help others who don’t know the Lord, see that He is the One who is good and true (John 14:6). Our genuine hope (1Timothy 1:1).