Expectation, belief, promise, optimism are all words that describe hope.

The start of a new year can be seen as a time of hope as we think of new beginnings, make promises and resolutions and generally want things to be better than they were before. 

It is also a time of reflection, of looking back, thinking about how things have changed and then thinking 'hopefully' how we as individuals and communities might change things for the better in the year ahead.

The birth of Christ 2000 years ago, which many people around the world have just been celebrating, signalled a new hope that no matter how dark and unpredictable times might seem, the hope in Christ remains and does not change. 

It is a promise that the God who created this world has not forsaken it and that in a time yet to come He will return and change everything for the better.

The hymn writer Edward Mote wrote these words in 1834:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand.

Just as the new hope of Christmas started with the birth of a baby, our individual walk of hope begins with a small step, be it expressing belief, declaring optimism, holding expectation in our hearts or simply being prepared to change.

A popular idiom is 'blue sky thinking' but real hope believes that the sun will shine again once the heavy storm clouds have passed. 

Lets stand on the solid ground and dare to hope together. 

Wishing you a happy, hopeful and peaceful new year.

PETER LANGMAN
Cirencester Community Church