Hope lies in a little child.

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In Tanzania we visited a Child Survival Project which ministers to mothers and their children age four and under. As we gathered in the church for a special program, all the mothers entered singing a song in Swahili while they handed us their children. One mother handed me her child and sat with the rest of the mothers on the other side of the church. The little boy looked up at me as he sat on my lap. While he seemed content, I was concerned he might want his mother soon. I was focused on making him comfortable, thinking about his needs. I prayed over him, for his health, his future, but most of all for him to know Christ as His Savior. I hoped someday he would give hope to the people of his country. Children are our hope for the future in this world.

With Advent comes the time we focus on another child. Jesus came as a baby to be our hope—for a future we wouldn’t have without him—the hope of eternal life.

“And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”
Matthew 12:21 New Living Translation

Hold the baby close this season. Focus on Him and the future that awaits you because of His love and sacrifice. Then we wait with expectation…

“While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Titus 2:13 New Living Translation

Text copyright Desiree Bustamante
Photo copyright Steve Bustamante