Hopes and fears

The hopes and fears of all the years met in Bethlehem when Christ was born—the promises of God hung upon his coming, the promise of a King rested upon him, the prospect of salvation was centred in his coming. Before his birth, the faithful had longed for him; at his birth, they rejoiced in him; since his birth, they have looked to him; now, will you find your highest hopes blossom and your deepest fears subside in the Christ who came to save his people from their sins.