But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.—1 Peter 3:15a (NIV)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Actually, it started looking like Christmas several weeks ago—about the middle of October. That’s when stores began displaying holiday decor and Christmas movies began airing. Not to mention we’ve already experienced the hallmarks of holiday shopping: Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

But for me, the season officially began last Sunday with the beginning of advent. The word advent means arrival. For the next four weeks we remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus on Earth. Each week of advent focuses on a different theme—the first of which is hope.

Hope is a tricky word. In our culture, we tie hope to a desired future event or outcome. But it always conveys an element of doubt. When we hope for something, we know there is no guarantee. And we experience bitter disappointment when our hopes are not realized (Proverbs 13:12).

But biblical hope is different. It still expresses a desired future outcome, but biblical hope is anchored in the promises of God. Because God is always faithful to His promises (Psalm 145:13), biblical hope comes with a guarantee. 

So what is the hope Jesus brings? One of the most well-known verses in the Bible identifies it beautifully:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17 NIV)

Jesus came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. And our world clearly needs saving. A few years ago, I asked people to describe the world with just one word (you can read about it here). Most of the participants cited words like chaos, confused, corrupted, divided, and messy. Today I often hear people describe the world as unstable, untrustworthy, intolerant, and broken. Jesus didn’t need to condemn the world, it stands condemned already. 

And yet this is the world that God loves and wants to save. He proved it by sending His son. Those who believe in Jesus receive the guaranteed hope of eternal life. This is a hope worth remembering and celebrating. But it is also a hope worth sharing.

I love this appeal given by the Apostle Peter:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15a NIV)

Peter wrote these words to Christians who faced severe persecution for their faith. In the letter he reminds them of the hope they have in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4). He calls them to hold onto this hope even as they suffer in this world. And then he encourages them to share with others the reason for their hope.

We may not suffer from persecution in the ways these Christians did. But we do suffer from living in this broken world. Like these Christians, we need to hold onto the hope Jesus gives us. And then share it with the world.

Christmas gives us the perfect opportunity. People are already thinking about Jesus. Nativity scenes, holiday decorations, and Christmas carols all point to His miraculous arrival. This Christmas let’s share the reason for our hope. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing hope to our hurting world. As we remember and celebrate your arrival to our world, may we also share the reason for our hope. We pray this in Your name. Amen.