The Gospel of John 3:16 defines Jesus as the universal gift given by God to humankind.
On Christmas morning, many people woke up to gifts given by family and friends in celebration of Christmas. The image of gifts placed under a tree in anticipation of Christmas festivities has become symbolic of the images we hold concerning Christmas. It has been noted that many gifts received will be sold on sites such as eBay as unwanted gifts, some even broken or lost before New Year.
Nonetheless, with that being said we can recall adverts which said a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. Christmas is not merely about gifts placed under a tree but is about the one who was to be hung on a tree. Christmas therefore symbolises the worlds greatest gift; the gift of hope.
In a world void of true love, deep in despair and overwhelmed by war and rumours of war, we are in need of hope. A hope that money cannot buy or provide. In response to this, Jesus is the true and only hope for a world desperate, in deep despair and darkness.
Desmond Tutu defines hope saying, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
Remember, it was whilst shepherds watched their flocks by night that the Angels broke the darkness of the night with the good news of hope by saying “fear not”. Luke 2:10.
It matters not how dark it might seem today, remember hope reminds us that darkness is only temporary.