And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
Zechariah rejoices with the birth of his son John, and prophesied about the one that will follow.
Through this passage, I find myself reflecting on all things that we can expect, all the hopes that a new life will bring.
It is true for me today, as it was for Zechariah then. Often, the announcement of the birth of a child brings hope. Hope for their future, and what they might accomplish.
Researchers at Harvard studied the impact of hope on people. They found that those with more hope had better health, social support, and lived a longer life.
Faith, hope, and love are thought to be the greatest acts of faith. Now we know they provide many other benefits as well. For me, hope is a strong and confident expectation that things can get better. In my life, it is a word similar to trust.
On this Thanksgiving day, what is one small commitment to hope that you want to make? How will you carry it with you through the day?
--Keisha Wiggan
If we want a new habit to stick, then share it with someone. Make a brief comment or share you commitment with someone who lives in your embodied space.