*Day 17 - Prophecy and Hope*

We have had so much fun learning about special shepherds in the Bible and special passages about sheep. Starting today, we will learn the Christmas story.

Jesus was never a backup plan. From the beginning of time, God knew that we would need Jesus to come as a Savior for this world. Hundreds of years before anyone knew Jesus' name, God put these words in the prophet Isaiah's heart:

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6-7

When Isaiah wrote these words, he knew he might never know Jesus personally, but he made sure to write down what God told him, so generations would know about Jesus before he was ever born. Jews would have read these words, known about the Messiah, and would look forward to his coming.

Today we remember that Jesus is the Messiah. We remember that he was known about for hundreds of years before he was ever born. We were told of his imminent birth. God gave Isaiah these words so the Jews knew to have hope. Immanuel means, "God with us". Jesus is indeed with us even today. He was known about hundreds of years before he was born, and we still worship him today, thousands of years after his death and resurrection. Hope has always been associated with Jesus. There was the hope of his coming, and today, we have the hope of his imminent return.

Be honest with yourself today, and ask, where does your hope lie? Or better still, with WHOM does your hope lie?

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul writes these words:  16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

If you knew that everything you had and loved would be taken away from you tomorrow, what would you be most scared of losing? Is that thing or someone your hope? Christmas is a time for family and gifts, but it is also the best time to remember where our hope truly lies. It isn't with loved ones or presents, who will cease to exist here one day. Our hope should lie with Jesus, who is our hope for eternity.

Dear Lord, it is so easy to get caught up in presents and people this time of year. But I know those things won't last forever here on earth. Lord, help me to put my hope and trust in Jesus who is forever. Jesus is Immanuel. He is God with us. He was prophesized about, those prophecies were fulfilled, and we have him as our hope for the future. Although we can't see him, he is indeed with us. Give us strength to cling to the hope of Jesus this time of year. In Jesus' name, Amen.