Dr George Abraham
Christmas brings the season of joy and that joy comes out of hope assured by the promise of God to send a Saviour to rescue humanity.
Christmas is therefore the season of hope too.
Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or the events that would turn out for the best. It is a moment in which expectations are centred and strong, and would cheer and brighten our sad and grieving minds on different occasions.
Divine Messages
Life can often beat us down with trials, disappointments and debilitating worries.
When it seems hopeless, God’s messages about our future hope should deeply encourage us.
Hope is a present, a gift freely given to all those who receive and when they open their hearts.
Hope is a promise for a better tomorrow in a world filled with sorrows.
Hope is a candle, a light in the window, showing the way for a heart to come home.
Hope is the Saviour born in the manger, sent from Heaven to rescue our hearts.
Hope comes as a season every year – the season of Christmas.
Famous Quotes
British philosopher Bertrand Russell said, “Extreme hopes are born of extreme misery.”
American President Barack Obama said in his 2004 DNC convention, “Let’s have hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of nations, a belief in things not seen, and a belief that, there are still better days ahead.”
Author Victor Hugo said in ‘Les Miserables’ said, “The word which God has written on the brow of every man is Hope.”
British writer G K Chesterton said, “Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances which we know to be desperate.”
Scottish Author Samuel Smiles said, “Hope is like the Sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. It lends promise to the future and purpose to the past. It turns discouragement to determination.”
First Lord of Admiralty (Britain) Edward Russel said, “Hope is the beacon which points to prosperity.”
Spanish Playwright Miguel De Cervantes said, “The phoenix bird Hope can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune’s spite; revive from ashes and rise.”
Floundering humans
We all have hopes; but we are often shot through changing circumstances unexpectedly, through external influences. We often fail to comprehend why certain things happen or do not happen. We learn to formulate ideals in tandem with others and yet pursue our journey to goals in hope.
Sometimes we cross the finishing line or fall down before it reaches the destination.
As and when we develop habits of hopes and hopefulness which help us weather our efforts and trials, we reach out to others, inspiring them, sharing our own experiences of hopes with them and contributing our abilities as best as we could to foster the growth of others too as we travel through.
Possible substitute
Hope could be another word for possibility, not a promise or guarantee.
But hope calls for tireless action with well-set plans in place.
Action would not be impossible without hope and optimism.
May Christmas be the Season of Hope.
Let us embrace action with well-set plans and God’s blessings in abundance for the forthcoming year.
I wish all Indian Newslink Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Dr George Abraham is our South Island Correspondent based in Christchurch
