Hope is Born In a world filled with uncertainty, the Christmas season reminds us of a promise kept—a light that pierced the darkness, a hope that was born in a humble stable. “Hope is Born” takes us back to the prophecies of old and their miraculous fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ. Discover how this unshakable hope transforms our lives today, renewing our faith in God’s promises and inspiring us to live as carriers of His light. This is more than a story; it’s an invitation to experience the true hope of Christmas in a personal and life-changing way.
Kingdom Way Church – https://KingdomWay.ca is our church in Edmonton, Alberta. Watch us live at https://KWay.live Sundays at 10:00 AM Mountain time. Watch Video on Demand at https://Kway.tv Connect and learn more at https://MyKWC.ca
Notes on Hope is Born
I. Introduction: The Need for Hope
Tommy and Sarah’s Christmas Lesson: Waiting for Hope
It was Christmas Eve, and Tommy and Sarah were buzzing with excitement. The twinkling lights on the Christmas tree illuminated the room, and the delicious smell of cookies filled the air. However, their eyes were glued to the pile of presents under the tree.
“Can we open just one now? Pleeease?” Tommy begged, bouncing on his toes.
“Yeah, just a small one!” Sarah chimed in, looking up at their dad with hopeful eyes.
Their dad chuckled and shook his head. “Not yet, kids. The best gifts take time, and waiting makes them even more special. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.”
The kids groaned and plopped onto the couch, arms crossed. “Why do we have to wait?” Tommy asked.
Their mom smiled and sat down with them. “You know, you’re not the first ones to wait for a special gift. A long time ago, the whole world was waiting for the greatest gift ever—Jesus.”
Sarah tilted her head. “The greatest gift? How long did they have to wait?”
“Oh, a really long time,” their mom said. “God promised to send a Savior hundreds of years before Jesus was born. People waited and waited, trusting that God would keep His promise. And on the first Christmas, He did! Jesus was born in a little town called Bethlehem, just like God said He would be.”
Tommy leaned forward. “But wasn’t it hard to wait?”
“It was,” their dad nodded. “But when Jesus came, it was so much better than anyone imagined. He brought hope, joy, and peace—not just for that moment, but forever. That’s why we celebrate Christmas!”
Sarah looked at the presents under the tree and then back at her parents. “So… waiting makes it better?”
Her mom nodded. “Exactly. When we wait, we learn to trust and appreciate the gift even more. Just like the world rejoiced when Jesus came, you’ll see how special it feels when the time is right to open your gifts.”
Tommy sighed but managed a smile. “Okay, we’ll wait. But it better be worth it!”
Their dad laughed. “Oh, it will be. And while you wait, remember that Christmas is really about celebrating the gift of Jesus—the hope that was born for all of us.”
That night, as Tommy and Sarah went to bed, they didn’t feel as impatient anymore. They knew that waiting was part of the joy, just like the world waited for Jesus. As they drifted off to sleep, they whispered a little thank-you prayer for the greatest gift of all.
Have you had to wait?
How many of you have had to wait for God to do something, to provide something, or to heal someone?
I am pretty certain every one of you has experienced waiting; some of you are likely in that season right now— I know I am…
Tommy and Sarah’s story illustrates the importance of waiting and trusting in the promises of God. Just like the anticipation of opening gifts made them appreciate the moment more, waiting for Jesus’ birth teaches us to trust in God’s perfect timing and to celebrate the hope He brings.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…”
Isaiah 9:2–7 NASB95
2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
3 You shall multiply the nation;
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence as with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
We see in this passage both a warning and a promise: the warning of dark times, difficult times, perilous times; but they are given hope to get them through those times. What was that hope? The promise of a Savior—the Messiah.
From the time Adam and Eve broke covenant with God until the resurrection of Jesus from the grave, the world was in darkness. Judges sums it up accurately:
Judges 21:25 NASB95
25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Satan held dominion over the earth after he was cast down:
Ezekiel 28:12–17 NASB95
12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God:
“You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering:
The ruby, the topaz and the diamond;
The beryl, the onyx and the jasper;
The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald;
And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets was in you.
On the day that you were created they were prepared.
14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I placed you there.
You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned; therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God.
And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings that they may see you.”
Evil was rampant; God’s people knew they needed help. God helped them get through dark days by giving them hope for a future.
II. The Promise of Hope (Prophecy)
Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2
The Prophet Isaiah gave God’s people hope!
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 NASB95
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
The Prophet Micah added to this hope:
Micah 5:2 NASB95 2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From days of eternity.”
Prophecies foretold the coming of the Messiah. Those prophetic words fueled their hope to get through darkness.
God’s promise of a Savior was given long before His arrival, showing His faithfulness and sovereignty.
Isaiah and Micah were contemporaries who wrote their books between 740 BC and 686 BC. God’s people had to wait hundreds of years to see this fulfilled.
But that’s not the first time that Messiah’s arrival was inferred:
Genesis 3:15 NASB95 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.
As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God showed them they would need a savior.
Isaiah 7:14 NASB95 14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Hosea 11:1 NASB95 1 When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.
Matthew 2:14–15 NASB95 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Reflect on how God’s promises in Scripture provide hope even when fulfillment feels distant.
III. The Fulfillment of Hope (Birth of Jesus)
Luke 2:10–11 NASB95 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy…”
The birth of Jesus fulfilled centuries of prophecy, bringing tangible hope to the world.
Highlighting the humility of Jesus’ birth is significant for all people, regardless of status. Where would a King be born? Where would the Savior of the world rest His head? As we will reflect on in coming weeks, Jesus was born with humble beginnings—born with animals, visited by lowly shepherds but later also by wise men who presented Him with prophetic gifts.
Celebrate Jesus as the ultimate gift of hope for our lives and for the world.
IV. Living in Hope Today
Romans 15:13 NASB95 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hope is not just a historical event but a present reality through Jesus.
Historical Church Figure: John Newton (1725–1807)
John Newton, author of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” is a powerful example of a life transformed by hope in Christ. Before Christ: Newton was a sailor deeply entrenched in transatlantic slave trade—a life marked by immorality and disregard for God. By his own admission, he was a hardened sinner known for his cruelty and blasphemy. His life seemed hopelessly adrift both spiritually and morally. The Turning Point: In 1748, while aboard a slave ship, Newton encountered a violent storm in the North Atlantic. As waves battered his ship, Newton feared for his life. In desperation, he cried out to God for mercy despite believing himself unworthy of it. Miraculously, his ship survived this ordeal and Newton began reflecting on his life and God’s grace. Though his transformation wasn’t immediate, this experience planted seeds of faith within him. Over time he turned away from slave trading and became an outspoken advocate for its abolition. Transformation: Newton’s life became a testimony to Christ’s hope and grace. He was ordained as an Anglican minister using his life story to preach about God’s power to redeem even sinners like himself. His hymn “Amazing Grace” captures his transformation: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see.”
John Newton’s life demonstrates that Christ’s hope can reach anyone no matter how far they’ve strayed. His story reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient to transform even broken lives allowing us trust in Christ’s redemptive love. Challenge your congregation to trust God’s promises—live with hope—share it during this Christmas season!
V. The Future Hope (Second Coming of Christ)
Revelation 21:4 NASB95 4 And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain; those first things have passed away.”
The first coming of Christ assures us of His second coming when ultimate hope will be realized.
Live in anticipation for Christ’s return letting this hope shape our actions and attitudes.
VI. Conclusion: Responding to Hope
Trust in Jesus: If you haven’t embraced Christ yet now is your time to receive this gift!
Share The Light: Invite someone along with you this season so they may experience Christmas’ hope too!
Closing Scripture:
John 1:5 NASB95 5 The Light shines in darkness; darkness did not comprehend it.
Prayer: Thank God for this gift—asking Him too make it alive within each heart this season!
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