Monday, December 23, 2013

A Christmas of HOPE

Reflections by Mary—The Edgerton Earth
By Mary C. Juarez
December 17, 2013
     Hello everyone!  The celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, is almost here.  Christmas is the time of year when we anticipate beautiful experiences to happen, and we eagerly await this blessed event.  Sometimes, in this secular world, we tend to lose the true meaning of Christmas.  Deep down I yearn for the Christmases of long ago that my parents spoke of, when families went to church together, shared their love with one homemade present, (if they were fortunate enough to be able to do that), and to rejoice that Christ had been born to bring Salvation into the world.  I believe the greatest gift we could ask for right now is the gift of Hope.  If our hearts have no Hope, there are no gifts in the world that can bring happiness and peace.
     This year, I pray for all hearts to be filled with the precious free gift of Hope.
     …For the couple who is sitting in a hospital waiting room, awaiting positive news from their doctor about the diagnosis of their child’s disease, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE of positive results.
     …For the couple who have been yearning to become parents, that either a pregnancy or an adoption will become a prayer answered, and that their hearts will be filled with HOPE that they will be able to hold a child in their arms to love.  And for the young woman who thought abortion was her only choice, that she too, would someday find HOPE.
     …For the soldiers fighting overseas, who will be spending this Christmas season without their loved ones, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE that their next Christmas will be spent with family.
     …For the people who have undergone the most devastating natural disasters ever, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow, their lives will be rebuilt and they will become richer in spirit than they ever imagined.
     …For the alcoholics and addicts who have lost their way and feel only desperation and despair, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that they will have the strength and courage to ask God to heal them,  so that they may begin  a new life filled with  forgiveness, peace and contentment.
     …For the youth who are in trouble, lonely, suicidal, and cannot find the right path, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someone will guide them with the light of Christ, which will replace the darkness in their lives.
     …For the prisoners whose lives feel meaningless, that someday, their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that forgiveness and mercy will come to them someday.
     …For the people fighting cancer, or any disease, who are losing all strength and will, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow God will heal them of their suffering, either in this world, or to be rewarded in Heaven for eternity.
     …For the parents who are waiting on their prodigal child to return home, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, they will run to greet that child who has come home to be reunited with his family and with Christ.
     …For the couple who is contemplating divorce, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that their marriage will be saved, and their love will become stronger than ever before.
     …For those struggling financially who see no end to their problems, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, they will find security.
     …For the women and children who have lived with abuse and fear, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow they will find happiness and healing.
     …For the people who are crying a million tears as they walk the journey of grief, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, the sun will shine a little brighter and the sorrow will be a little lighter.
     …For the schools that have undergone tragedy, and for the youth who are troubled and acting out in violence, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, our nation will invite Christ back into our schools, and that fear will never again linger in the hallways.
     …For our nation, workplaces, government, homes, & families, that all hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, we will all live in the peace and unity of Christ, and that war and hatred will only exist in the chapters of an old dusty history book.
     …From my heart to your heart, may we have HOPE this Christmas season, that everyday can hold the possibility of a miracle because our Savior, the giver of HOPE has been born!     May you have a blessed and HOPEFUL Christmas!!
      Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.
       Until we meet again, may God’s rainbow fill your hearts with the promise of His peace.         

Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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