I was recently listening to one of my favorite Christmas songs, O Little Town of Bethlehem. As I listened to this song, I was reminded of something that I once read. Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal priest, was inspired to pen this song in 1868 - three years after visiting Bethlehem. He is credited with capturing the heart of Christmas with one line of this beautiful song ...."The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." By giving the gift of His son to us in the little town of Bethlehem long ago, God met the HOPES of all humanity --- past, present, and future.

However, in certain situations, there seems to be NO HOPE. We walk around with feelings of doom and gloom. Even the most positive individuals in our lives seem to succumb to the negative circumstances that surround our situation.

Although it is a natural reaction to feel this way when faced with dire life challenges, King David offers another alternative. He provides the following encouragement in today's scripture "But as for me, I will always have HOPE; I will praise You more and more."

Several months ago, my Pastor led me to this same scripture when I approached him for prayer concerning a situation I was facing. When he recited the words of this verse, I realized that our faith and joy is so closely intertwined with our hope. If we lose hope, our faith wavers and our joy begins to disappear.

Our HOPE can always be found in Jesus! Go to HIM with your fears - go to Him with your doubts - go to Him with your unbelief ... Remember in the little town of Bethlehem, God met the hopes of all humanity through the birth of His Son, Jesus. Hebrews 13:8 assures us that Jesus can STILL take away our fears AND fill us with HOPE. This verse promises that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

My challenge to you is to avoid allowing your circumstances to rob you of your HOPE. Rather, I pray that you will speak the words King David proclaimed many years ago to your situation: "But as for me, I will always have HOPE; I will praise You more and more." This Christmas may God fill your heart with HOPE ... a lasting hope.

Dear Lord, I thank You for the gift of Your Son - our source of HOPE. Please help me to never allow ANYTHING to rob me of this gift given to me long ago in the LITTLE TOWN IN BETHLEHEM!

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.