James Gregg has supported our work in many ways, including as a Youth Build team leader and by helping at events. In this Advent Reflection, James reflects on finding hope in a world of despair.
The definition of hope is: “To wish for a particular event that one considers possible”.
We hope the weather will be good for our holiday. We hope we will get the pay rise we feel we deserve. We hope that we get just what we want for Christmas.
The reality is that often life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped it would. Sometimes hope is drowned out by the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
We live in a dark world that desperately needs light. The birth of Jesus brought the light that offers hope to a world of despair. He is God’s rescue plan. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Jesus said: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” (John 12:46-47)
Jesus was the Son of God yet His first bed was an indicator of His nature and purpose; rather than being born in a palace, He was born among animals. Jesus spent His time with the poor, the sick, the lame, the blind and the deaf. We see throughout His ministry how Jesus’ life was marked by compassion for others.
Many Habitat for Humanity volunteers, inspired by the hope they have found in Jesus, share in His compassion for those in need.
We have been called to become His hands and feet in this world and to have compassion for those who, despite their circumstances, have not lost hope.
Habitat have been the hand of hope in more than 70 countries and to more than 6.8 million people who have seen their living conditions improved.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that Christmas represents hope. Thank You that You sent Jesus to be the light of the world. As Jesus left Heaven to dwell among us, help motivate us to leave our comfort zones and show the love of Jesus through serving those who are in need. Amen
Make a special Christmas gift to help families in urgent need of a safe place to call home.
Read more Advent Reflections here.
