Each of us have been affected one way or another this year by Covid. Things we took for granted have crumbled around us. Cancellations abound. And so many losses in various ways – physically, mentally, emotionally.
There are people already suffering from life’s trials, and Covid repercussions make them all the heavier. We live in a condo with 14 individual units connected by a hallway. One of our neighbors only recently found out she had leukemia and she soon passed away, leaving behind a grieving widower and children and grandchildren. Her body had to be cremated, and the funeral is postponed until April or whenever it is more safe to meet together. They are not the only ones who have had to put memorial services on hold this year.
A mental and emotional toll is draining people of the joy of life. Elderly people who are socially isolated are dying from loneliness. Other people are dying from Covid complications without loved ones beside them. Frontline healthcare workers are over-worked and over-stressed. Addictions and domestic abuse are escalating. Unemployment and homelessness are also increasing. I can’t even begin to list the rippling effects of Covid in households, nursing homes, hospitals, and our world. It’s so sad, isn’t it?
Behind the masks, we can see the defeated looks in the eyes of so many. Is it any wonder why so many don’t feel very celebratory this Christmas season?
But there is a reason to still celebrate! Out of His infinite, unconditional, compassionate love for us, God came down to earth to be born in our human flesh and laid in an animal feed box in a stinking stable. Homeless and helpless. Because of Jesus, hope was born, and that hope is and never will be cancelled.
Because of Jesus, joy and peace can dwell in our hearts. We don’t have to feel guilty to allow joy into our hearts when so many are suffering. Joy can coexist with sadness. Joy is not always dancing and shouting Hallelujahs. Sometimes joy is a quiet confidence and trust that God’s got us, no matter what.
Immanuel – God with us. God will never, ever abandon us, no matter how difficult the journey of our lives. No matter how much it feels like He’s forgotten us, He never will. No matter how much hate and evil is in this world, He has and will bring peace on earth. No matter how hopeless our lives feel, His heart of love and compassion delights to fill us with His eternal hope.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.” Isaiah 40:28-29
“Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.” Psalm 33:22
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Is there room in your heart
Is there room in your heart
For God to write His story
You can come as you are
But it may set you apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams for His glory…”
Freed to Fly 
Yes, this year has brought so much pain, loss and isolation in so many ways. I’m grateful that hope is never cancelled because the hope that Jesus brings is exactly what we all need right now. I love your description of the joy we can find in him even in the midst of trials and suffering, and the Casting Crowns song is one of my favourites!
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Thank you, Lesley. We do certainly need that hope Jesus brings right now. May we make room in our hearts for Jesus and the hope and peace He alone can bring!
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Oh Dear Trudy,
Thank you for these beautiful thoughts and Scriptures of encouragement. I can so identify with what you have shared–there are days that the heaviness of all this world is reeling under feels like it is just too much to bear. But then the Lord reminds me of His with-ness here, His presence, and His hope among us. Thank you for being one of those who speak of HIS hope in this aching time. I pray that He will bless you and your loved ones with a Beautiful Christmas and New Year. May you know that same hope that you so freely share with us. I am so grateful for you! Love and hugs across the miles! xoxo
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Oh yes, Bettie, that heavy ache is too much to bear. Without the HOPE we have in JESUS, we couldn’t cope at all, could we? I’m so glad you were encouraged here. Thank you for your prayers. I pray He will bless you and your loved ones as well with hope and peace in Jesus! May we cling to the solid truth of His “with-ness here, His presence, and His hope among us” in this aching time!
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Trudy, I love the look of your new blog, and most importantly, I love that you’ve written here about hope. That is my word for 2021! You have just cemented the word in my heart be what you’ve shared today.
Blessings!
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Thank you, Martha. What a wonderful word for 2021! There is such a depth of meaning in HOPE, isn’t there? I’m looking forward to your following of that word at Lisa’s site. 🙂 Blessings to you, too! May our GOD OF HOPE fill our hearts with joy and peace in Him!
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Hope will not disappoint. Jesus never fails. We are blessed.
Writing as I listen to this beautiful song. Yes, making room in my heart for God to write HIS story. Not mine.
Bless you, friend ..
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Yes, we truly are blessed, Linda. No matter how severe the storms, we have the unbreakable anchor of HOPE in JESUS. Bless you, too! May we make room in our hearts for HIS story, not ours!
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Trudy, I think we are on the same wavelength in our writing this week. 🙂 Thank you for pointing us to these eternal truths that ground us among all the pain, loneliness and uncertainty. Love and hugs to you, my friend.
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It makes me feel all warm and cozy inside that we’re on the same wavelength in our writing this week, Lois. Thank you also for pointing me to God’s eternal truths. It’s a comfort to know in these times of dramatic change that His Truth will never change. Love and hugs to you, too! May our hearts make room for and cling to His promises that are yea and amen in Christ Jesus!
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Trudy, while your opening paragraphs are sadly descriptive of what so many are suffering and struggling with during this covid-ridden Advent, and they make for sober, reflective reading, you have also touched on the vital component of our life of faith. It is all “Because of Jesus.” Because He came. Because He cares. Because He desired to be with us and live as one of us. Because of His amazing love and grace. Because He saves. Therefore, as you so rightly point out, we can experience joy in the midst of pain, problems, and sorrow. And we always, always have His glorious HOPE as an anchor for our sinking souls. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. May you know that Joy and Hope in abundance as you celebrate with your husband, and, hopefully, your loved ones. xoxo ❤️🙏🏻
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I think you were commenting here at the same time I was commenting at your blog, Joy. 🙂 Yes, it’s all because of Jesus! I love your reflections here – “Because He came. Because He cares. Because He desired to be with us and live as one of us. Because of His amazing love and grace. Because He saves.” Amen! Thank you! May you also know that Joy and Hope in abundance this Christmas and always! In the midst of our pain and sorrows, may we open our hearts to a relationship with Him!
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“Sometimes joy is a quiet confidence and trust that God’s got us, no matter what.” It was a joy to begin my first reading of the day with your words, Trudy. Hope is never cancelled. That is t-shirt worthy and so much more! Have peaceful and joyful Christmas season, just as God wants for you.
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Thank you for your kind words, Lynn. I’m so grateful this encouraged you. The truth that hope is never cancelled is such a comfort, isn’t it? I pray you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas season, too! May our hearts be filled with a quiet confidence and trust that God is with us and He’s got us, no matter what!
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Trudy, this is so beautiful. Hope is a powerful force. This year has held pain and hopelessness for many. We’ve seen the effects of isolation and fear and discouragement in the lives of our sons and their fellow students. I’m so thankful that the Lord is bigger than all that’s going on. That He is the God of hope. And that, yes, He does give us joy and the gift of His constant presence. Thank you for your beautiful reminders here, friend.
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Thank you, Jeanne. Yes, hope is a powerful force. I’m thankful, too, that the Lord is bigger than all that’s going on. I pray your trip to Hawaii will give your boys and you and your husband a needed relaxing break. May we be filled with the joy of Christ’s birth and of His constant presence this Christmas and always!
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Thank you for all your reminders here that our hope is not hopeless. Our Jesus gives us great confidence in hope through Him, Amen!
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“Our hope is not hopeless.” Amen! Thank you, KimKim. May our Jesus fill us with His hope and love to overflowing this Christmas and always!
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Romans 15:13 is my verse of the moment, to overflow with hope, not generated by us but by the power of the Holy Spirit! Loved this 🙂
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Amen! I love that verse, too, Sharon. Yes, not by us but by the power of the Holy Spirit! May our GOD OF HOPE fill us to overflowing this season and always!
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This is exactly what I need, Trudy! “Joy can coexist with sadness. Joy is not always dancing and shouting Hallelujahs. Sometimes joy is a quiet confidence and trust that God’s got us, no matter what.” Thank you, friend! May the Lord bless you with much peace and love this Christmas. I’m waiting on my grandkids to get here in an hour or so, and our celebrating will begin. It’ll be a quick trip for them, but I’ll take what I can get in this crazy year.
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I’m so glad it’s what you needed, Lisa. Thank you for your prayer! May the Lord bless you, too, with much love and peace this Christmas! By now your adorable granddaughters will be with you. Enjoy your time with them! They grow so quickly, don’t they? May God fill us with a quiet confidence and trust that He’s got us, even in these uncertain times!
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