The hope of Jesus is never more evident that it is at Christmas. That is in part because we are reminded more of the blessed birth of our Savior. We also see more people coming forward to help those in need. During the holiday season, people do more donating to such organizations as Toys for Tots, the Angel Tree, the Salvation Army and the Samaritan’s Purse to name a few.  Service projects like winter clothes and food drives get more attention too. We seem to be much more charitable and our contributions to others  increase. These things are wonderful and provide much needed love and hope in our challenging world. Undoubtedly, those less fortunate feel gratitude and hope.

I know the hope and love of Jesus prompts us to do good and help each other. When we put our hope in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, we are filled with joy and peace that only God can give.  We experience His unconditional love and want to share the love He gives with others in our world. That is what is expected of us.  Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV)

We are entering a new year tomorrow.  It is a time of renewal and new beginnings.  We always hope the new year will be better.  Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. We can make it better by extending the hope and love we feel at Christmas throughout the coming year and continue “loving our neighbors as ourselves” through the generosity of our bounty in life and our love for them.  It doesn’t have to happen just at Christmas.

I found this quote and I thought it was funny but spoke volumes.  “Just love everyone.  I’ll sort them out later”. God

May you all feel the hope and love of Jesus in this coming year and share it all year long. Thanks be to God!

Patty