Hope

One of the big takeaways from "Man's Search for Meaning" was the idea that we must find a larger purpose that drives us to continually move forward. I think we can all agree that keeping a good outlook can be difficult at times.

When the birth of Christ took place, the Jewish people were struggling and under the heavy thumb of the Roman Empire. The people were exhausted and needed something to bring change. That change came in the form of a virgin birth, and while the people did not see it at the time, it was exactly what they needed. As it is often said, "His plans are not mine."

I think we often find ourselves in the same place. At times, it feels like life is winning. Everything can feel like the deck is stacked against us, and the easy answer is to just give up. We find ourselves lost and not knowing what our next step is.

The good news is that the same hope that the Jewish people found in the birth of Christ is the same hope we can celebrate today. News that there is something bigger than us, something bigger than any of our problems. Just like the Jewish people, we often keep looking for different answers, different solutions to the same problems. However, Christmas is a story of hope, a hope that we can celebrate because we can participate in the continual celebration of the birth of Christ. Hope does not make our problems go away; it just makes them bearable, knowing we are not alone and there is, in fact, something bigger than our problems.

The more I read and learn about how any of us process trauma, the more I understand that making it through hinges on my ability to know, to hope, and to live knowing that there is something more to live for. This Christmas, be reminded that there is hope for something better.

As for me and my home, we will live in hope.