May real hope live in your heart today
And always!

Real hope isn’t wishful thinking—
It’s inward certainty of future blessedness.

Hope isn’t a little girl
Who says, “I hope I get a pony for Christmas,”
Though she probably won’t.

Hope is the little girl,
Bubbling with anticipation in December,
Not because she wonders if Christmas will come,
But because she knows it will.

The packages are under the tree.
The house is decorated.
The family feast is being prepared.
Christmas is coming—definitely coming.

That anticipation of much good on the way,
That’s hope.

May the real hope,
The sure and certain hope,
That God is already waiting for you in tomorrow,
Preparing blessing beyond what you can yet imagine,
Fill your heart with peace,
Your mind with confidence,
And your soul with quiet delight,
Whatever today may bring.