I am the recipient of another new mug. This one is rather ordinary and plain, but it is decked out for the holidays! Wrapped in a white knitted cozy, it is especially cute because it has a miniature red plaid scarf wrapped around it as well. The mug holds a transparent Christmas ball ornament that actually has a hot chocolate mix inside of it. One word is written on the decoration: BELIEVE!
It’s become quite common to encourage people to believe. The object of that belief can vary, but often the injunction to believe is focused on believing in yourself. I live in western New York which is Buffalo Bills territory. So around here we are encouraged to “Billieve!” It’s a play on words that urges us to believe in our football team. (And that’s not always easy!)
Urging people to believe has also become a popular part of celebrating Christmas. We see it in the holiday decorations and on our Christmas cards. It is often a theme in Christmas music, movies and commercials. A few years ago when I was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on TV, I noticed the decorations Macy’s had on their store. Hanging on the side of the building in huge letters was that one word: BELIEVE.
What is it that we are to believe in at Christmas? Children, of course, are often encouraged to believe in Santa Claus. Adults, on the other hand, are admonished to believe in the Christmas spirit or the goodness of humanity or the positive vibes of the season. But all these things are not worthy of our belief. This kind of believing leads only to disappointment.
I do, however, want to encourage you to believe! Not in some nebulous, feel good concept, but in the One who was born in a stable. Jesus often gets neglected and forgotten during the holiday season, but He is the who and the why of our Christmas day! Believing in Him has eternal rewards!
| For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. –John 3:16 For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed’. –Romans 10:11 |
Jesus Himself exhorts you to believe for in John 14:1 He declares, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
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Mug of Hope 