“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

A cry is heard in the stillness of the night. A beautiful, clear cry. The voice of a newborn baby. Not just any baby, but the God of creation. He has stepped down and taken the form of a baby to come to save his creation. Hope is born. Not just for a nation, but for the whole world.

Nearby a voice is heard crying out,

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And then joining that voice, many more:

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”

Hope was born and has remained since the day Jesus was born. Hope that there is more beyond this life. Hope that it is worth it when sorrow and despair overtakes us. Hope that we will see those who have passed again. Hope that someday we will be rid of this body that fails us. Hope that someday we will have victory over the mistakes, blunders, and straight up bad things we do.

This past year I stood looking over my little brother as he laid in a casket. So many memories from him as a small little boy up until he became a young man. He was in the prime of his life at 17 years old. While to many it seemed devastating, I felt hope. Hope because of that little baby wrapped in swaddling cloths. Hope because He promised us to be reunited. And when I go and visit my little brothers grave or look through pictures of him, I look forward to being with him again.

I long for that day. The day when I can shed this body of shame, sin, pain, and death and join those who also love that little baby in swaddling cloths.

 In the next two days, my wife and I will welcome our own little baby into this world. I could be fearful as I look around the world at the unrest, the struggle, and the pain in the world. But, through that I too can find hope coming from that baby in swaddling cloths. Hope for him to watch over my baby. Hope to help me to be a good father to my baby. Hope that my baby will grow to be that Hopes’ hands and feet in this world.

This Christmas season there is hope for you too. There is hope in your pain and difficulty. That baby in swaddling cloths grew up. He grew up and became a great King and conqueror.  Not over countries and nations. But over death, pain, sin, and despair. If you can’t find hope this Christmas season, reach out to him. If you aren’t sure how to reach out to him, feel free to reach out to me. Not because I have my life in order and have it all figured out. Simply because I met him. I met the Prince of Peace. I met the Wonderful Counselor. This Christmas season, I’d love to introduce you to him if you haven’t met him. I’d love to introduce you to my Friend, my Father, my King, my Counsellor, my Hope, my Comfort.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Merry Christmas to all of you from Farmhouse Friends,
Charlie and Lydia Buurma