When the entire population of the earth was in dark despair, experiencing the starkest estrangement from their creator, when they had disbelieved all truth of their creator and saw Him as a distant memory or fable, God told a man to build a boat. He called the boat an Ark. That ark represented the hope of escape from the destructive sin darkened path they travelled.
When Israel was in deep despair, experiencing the bondage and consequence of their sin, an Angel came to a young girl named Miriam to give a message of joy and hope.
When the promise of this hope came to pass with great signs and wonders, wise men were drawn from far away to acknowledge and participate in the hope which was given.
When Jesus was executed in horrific brutality on the cross at Calvary, the disciples scattered in fearful anguish and despair having their hopes shattered by what their eyes took in. Yet three days later another Miriam regained the hope of her soul. Sharing the news brought skepticism and joy to the other disciples. Soon when they were convinced by His presence and their hope returned as well. It became their practice to gather and remember this hope on the first day of the week.
Eventually they or their descendants began to remember this joy and hope in a very special time, once a year. Now while His death burial and resurrection was specifically remembered weekly, it was His birth that is remembered once a year.
Hope is healthy. Hope is joyful. Hope is for better. Christmas is a time of Hope. Jesus is that Hope.
The angels were the messengers of hope to Miriam and Joseph and to all those who would believe on His name. The Holy Spirit is the messenger of Hope who placed the faith in your hearts to allow you to choose to believe that Jesus is indeed your salvation. This same Holy Spirit placed the gifts and calling of God within your heart and chose you to serve Him. Now, you are the messengers of Hope.
Not because you are a preacher of His Holy Word; not because you are a gifted teacher or orator, but because He is in you. He is not contained by you but rather is carried and proclaimed by you.
Because you are the vessels He has chosen to show the hope that is in you 1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Promised to Mary and Joseph as well To come to the place where they did dwell The Hope of Salvation from torment and hell By one Holy Spirit planted embryonic cell Faithfully waiting for this very hour As God with us came forth in power No lily of the valley was a finer flower Yet evil was poised in hate to devour Messengers brought forth their cry To nurturing shepherds where they lie Defenders of innocence under the sky Nary a one of them called Rabbi Blessed in thetemple ofElizabeth and Simon Their eyes beholding God’s Holy diamond Who chose in His love to spend some time in A body of flesh for our heavenly climbin’ When He had suffered His passion for men He rose from the grave in victory over sin Proclaiming new hope could be known once again Desiring it might be recalled now and then All of the love and Hope this represents Is proclaimed each Christmas ever since A time to remember a birth so immense The hope of cleansing every offense As the chosen of God we are told Ours is to spread joy and His story unfold For it is each of our hearts where we do hold The Story of Jesus that never grows old.La Esperanza means “Hope“
Christmas means “Hope“
He uses the the word “Miriam” referenced as Joseph’s wife. But it was Mary he was to be wed to. How could this be? Other than the author’s input, is there a clear answer or is this a simple mistake? I would like to know your thoughts on this.