November 28, 2021

Jose Abaroa
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Jeremiah 23:5-6

The Christmas season is here! I delight in watching the expectation and anticipation in my kids grow as we countdown to Christmas Day. Their hearts are filled with hope for great presents and quality time spent with family and friends. Even as questions abound regarding what they will get for Christmas, the expectation of the season abounds even more so. After all, it is the season of hope, peace, love, and joy. However, the reality is that the sights, smells, and sounds of this season may equally bring many of us the opposite of hope, peace, love, and joy. This may be the first Christmas we will spend without a loved one by our side. Or perhaps, this year was filled with twists and turns that left you feeling like a broken-down vehicle on the side of the road. The truth is that regardless of our current circumstances or mood, hope abounds in this season as we celebrate the coming of King Jesus, our living hope.

Jeremiah wrote the words above around 600 BC during a tumultuous time in history when the people of God were exiled from their homes (talk about chaos). Yet, despite challenging circumstances, Jeremiah prophesied that the days were coming when a King would come to save His people and reign wisely, justly, and righteously. The good news is that King Jesus came on Christmas Day to save us and bring hope to all of humanity.

Take a moment to think and rest in the reality that Jesus came to save us. Despite heavy and challenging circumstances, Jesus reigns!