Today is December 25, 2012, and countless people are celebrating in many different ways and for many different reasons.  Some are singing carols and opening much-anticipated gifts while others are preparing for festive dinners with family and friends. Old Christmas traditions are being upheld and new ones are being created. Today is a day of sharing, caring, and usually over-indulgence.  Yet, on the flipside of this, there are many who are experiencing sadness, depression, loss, or a general void, which brings about feelings of confusion, isolation, anxiety, and even fear.  Yes, there are a whole spectrum of feelings and experiences on this day, and they are all related.

Although it often gets lost in the cacophony of shopping and materialism, this day has spiritual underpinnings, and your experience on this day depends on how your spiritual self connects to them. Yes, this day is prescribed to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but what does that really mean?  Simply put, it means that we are celebrating the birth of hope.  Regardless of religion or spiritual beliefs, most of us can agree that living life is not always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright hard.  We have situations that are devastating, responsibilities that are overwhelming, and challenges that seem like they are going to take us out.  It is in those moments, when you have done all that you know to do, that you need something greater than yourself (and any other resources you may have) to keep you going. You need hope, which is the confident expectation that your needs or desires will be met.

Hope works in various ways.  It brings you peace until your situation changes.  Hope allows you to find the positive in the midst of negative circumstances.  It causes you to persevere and press on when it seems like you are on your last leg.  Hope is that glimmer of light in the midst of darkness.  It is that still, small voice that tells you to keep trying when you feel like giving up.  Hope will inspire you to do better when you’re already doing well.  Hope holds you in high esteem when you have given up on yourself.  It encourages you and tells you that your tomorrow can be greater than your today if you just hold on.  Hope reminds you that even though you’ve run into a brick wall, there is a small opening for you to get through, and there is something on the other side just for you. Hope does not change and it does not fail.  It is available in abundance, and yet you only need a small amount.  But you must open yourself up to hope.  You must allow hope to be birthed and rebirthed in your heart and spirit.  Let hope replace jealousy, envy, strife, and desperation. Let it be your confidence, your evidence, and your guide.

I am thankful that I have hope because it has helped me through some very trying times, and I know that it will do the same for you.  Let’s celebrate the birth or rebirth of hope in your life.

Merry Christmas!