Light of Hope
Introduction
- The incident of 33 Chilean miners trapped around 2000 ft down the ground level – for 68 days – was rescued. The CNN web site came with a headline “Faith, Hope and Prayer sustained the Chilean Miners”.
- There is a saying – “Hope is not hope unless it is put or tested in a seemingly hopeless situation”.
- Christmas is a feast of Hope.
Body
- The Hope in the life of Israelites
o Abraham was an old man with a no child with his wife – but he had hope in the promise of God “I will make you the father of many”.
o Under the slavery of Egyptian Pharos, the Israelites had hope that God would come and rescue them one day.
o Under Exiles Israelites had the same hope that God would come and rescue them. Therefore they repented over their unfaithfulness and turned back to God’s mercy.
- Hope in a situation when there is nothing to hope, the situation seems to be impossible.
- Christmas is a celebration of Hope.
o Impossibility of getting a child for a virgin.
o Impossibility of God of the universe becoming a small child.
o Impossibility of getting a baby for Elizabeth who was old and barren.
- There is no word “impossible” in the dictionary of God.
- To get out of our problem and difficulties may seem to be impossible for us, but for God everything is possible.
Conclusion
- Who enjoys the fruits of the true hope?
o Simple and humble
§ Anawim Yahweh – Mamma Mary – Most powerful women of the world yet simple and humble – “let thy will be done”
§ Those who do not depend on money and worldly powers
o Persons with strong faith
§ Faith in the promise of Loving God
§ “The Holy Spirit is with us” and “we are the temples of Holy Spirit”
o Those who obey the commandments and instructions of God.
§ Zachariah obeyed God, gave the name “John” to the child and he could speak.
§ Mary when said “yes” to God’s Will, became the mother of God.