As we look at the world around us, it’s easy to allow ourselves to get into a hopeless & helpless mindset as we see the many challenges & problems.  Economic difficulties, political unrest, uncertainty about the future, & many other issues can add up quickly in our minds.  On top of all this, we each have our own personal hardships that we’re dealing with every day.

Christmas is a wonderful reminder of the love God has for us in sending His Son to earth, & the hope we can have as we place our faith & trust in Him.  As the wise men were seeking for Jesus, the Bible tells us in Matthew 2:10, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”  These travelers from the east had a joy & expectation at what the birth of the Messiah would mean to mankind & to their lives individually.  They had a hope in the One sent from heaven.

Rather than focusing on the negative things going on in the world & in our own lives, let’s follow the example of the wise men & set our focus on Jesus!  He was sent by the Father to give us what we could never have on our own.  He gives unimaginable hope, non-understandable peace, fulfilling joy, incredible strength, & much more to those who put their trust in Him!