Hope at Christmas
Due to technical challenges, we cannot provide a sermon recording. However, we hope the following Life Group notes are helpful:
As the Advent season unfolds in our church, we start on a journey of anticipation and preparation, culminating in the celebration of Jesus’ birth. This Advent series, started this Sunday by Josh Mechler, draws on the traditional themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. On Sunday, Josh began by referencing Isaiah 9:6-7, pivotal verses that, hundreds of years before, announce the birth of a child destined to bring salvation and hope.
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
This promise, given during great distress for the Israelites, mirrors our world's turmoil and the personal challenges many people face. Josh shared his struggles with hopelessness, ranging from political disillusionment to familial and mental health struggles, landing at a critical question for our church family: “When did you lose your hope?”
Recognizing that the gospel does not leave us in despair, Josh explored biblical perspectives on hope. Psalm 130:5 speaks of waiting upon the Lord, a theme echoed in Moses’ message in Deuteronomy 1:28-33. Here, Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s past faithfulness as a foundation for future hope. Josh connected this message to our lives, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on God's gracious carrying of us even as we walk through immense challenges. God’s intervention, not our efforts, brings true hope and transformation.
Ultimately, we find our hope in Jesus, and the arrival of Jesus that we remember at Christmas rightly draws our attention to hope during the Christmas season and at all times in our lives. Philippians 1:6 assures us that God, who began a good work in us, will see it to completion. We have every reason to be a people of hope because of Jesus!
Questions for discussion:
1 - How have your own experiences, similar to those of Josh, influenced your perspective on hope? Can you identify a specific moment or event where you felt a significant loss or revival of hope?
2 - What practical ways can we maintain hope, as suggested in the sermon, especially when facing disillusionment or despair? How can we apply the lesson of trusting God's past faithfulness to fuel our future hope?
3 - How does the Advent theme of hope, particularly through the birth of Jesus, influence your celebration and understanding of Christmas? How can this season rejuvenate our hope, both personally and within our church family?
