To my precious daughters, Merry Christmas! As we gather to celebrate this joyous season, I pray you will trust in God’s promises for your lives and believe in His love for you and your family. Remember that in every challenge you face, He is there guiding you with wisdom and grace. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, and let your hearts be filled with hope and gratitude for the blessings around you. Each moment is a gift, so cherish the time spent together and keep faith alive in all that you do.

Advent continues with Isaiah 7:10-14. This morning, my husband and I listened together and researched commentaries and historical context. Ahaz was the king of Judah, and Isaiah was the prophet. Ahaz was in a precarious position between two opposing neighbors, and God, through the prophet, assured Ahaz that he and his people could trust God. God even offered a gift to Ahaz to ask for a sign. His refusal to do so wearied God and Isaiah. From this, Isaiah received a sign from God, proclaiming Jesus’s birth and it was said, “He will be called Immanuel.”

What a sign! A spoken prophecy for things to come. Not in the moment to reassure, but a promise of salvation bigger than any moment we experience. This prophecy resonates deeply with us even today, as it speaks of hope and deliverance in the midst of uncertainty.

God talks to us every day through His Word, nature, people, and events. We wondered about Ahaz and his position in life at the time. Although we can’t relate to being the King of Judah, we can relate to the unbelief in God’s promises in our current situation. We settle into a reality that is less than ideal, and we adapt with lament or apathy. This tendency to despair in challenging circumstances can cloud our ability to see the light of God’s promises shining through the darkness.

We each have places in our lives that we want to see change, and we apply His promise. The promise of training a child in His love, and when they are old, they will not depart from it, or the promise of His coming, and that He will never leave nor forsake us. The promise that weeping will only last but a night, but joy comes in the morning. So many promises, these are just a few we cling to. It is through these promises that we find resilience, a foundation upon which we build our faith and our daily living.

So how do we live? How do we trust in the sign that has passed, and we continue to celebrate on December 25? This celebration is not merely about festivities; it’s a profound recognition of the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. The anticipation of Advent calls us to reflect on how we embody our faith in the world around us.

I appreciate that we have the Bible to guide us in understanding how to live. We can look back on stories, such as that of King Ahaz, and realize, despite humanity, God’s plan prevails. King Ahaz did not see the prophecy of Mary and Jesus, nor did Isaiah, but it came to pass, just as He said it would. The fulfillment of these promises serves as a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness across generations.

Instead of faking it till you make it, believe it until you become it. This idea calls us not just to mimic faith but to embody it and allow it to transform who we are. Faith and trust allow us to proclaim His promises with confidence, even when our current reality seems to tell a different story. Each day presents us with opportunities to lean into our faith, to affirm that God’s word is alive and active, and to remind ourselves that through His promises, we find strength, hope, and resilience — even in the most trying times.

As we move forward, let us challenge ourselves to recognize the signs that God has placed before us and embrace the hope that the season of Advent brings. Let His promises renew our spirits and guide our hearts toward genuine trust and unwavering belief in His perfect plan for our lives.

1. In what areas of my life do I struggle to trust in God’s promises, and how can I actively cultivate a deeper faith in those moments of uncertainty?

2. How can I better recognize and appreciate the signs of God’s presence and guidance in my daily life, especially during challenging times?

3. What specific promises from Scripture do I need to hold onto more tightly, and how can I apply these promises to create resilience and hope in my current circumstances?