Big idea: Invite the light of Christ into your EXPECTATIONS this Christmas.  

What is Biblical hope? The confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.  

4 Lessons on biblical hope from Zechariah and Elizabeth:  

1. Where you place your hope will determine how you live your life (:6)  
2. The bigger the problem, the greater the opportunity for hope (:7)  
3. Just because God is silent doesn’t mean that God is inactive (:13)  
4. A hope in circumstances is flimsy, a hope in Jesus is secure (:18-19) 

Practicing Solitude – Big Idea: Invite the light of Christ into your EXPECTATIONS this Christmas.  

• Get still. As distraction-free as possible – put everything away including your phone.  
• Do 10 deep cleansing breaths – with each inhale pray silently “Christ shine your light.” 
• Your mind might run wild but spend the first few moments resting in God’s presence. 
• In light of our discussion today about biblical hope vs. people’s expectations 
• Read Psalm 139:7-12 multiple times. Read until certain words or phrases feel like they’re being ‘highlighted’ for you.  
• Ask God what he might be saying to you.  
• Pray those impressions back to God.