"A hope that does not disappoint"
This Christmas, Joanna reflects on the gift of hope and what it can mean for the communities that we serve.
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
Have you ever been disappointed at Christmas? Amongst so many reasons for joy, disappointment is also part of the tapestry of this season – whether in small things like a cancelled visit or a gift that wasn’t quite what you were hoping for, or in the deeper threads of people missed, things longed for and circumstances that seem less than ideal for celebrating.
Still, even in the weave of these experiences, there is a ‘hope that does not disappoint’: Jesus, for whom the season is named and through whom ‘the love of God is poured out in our hearts’ (Romans 5:5). He came, right into our everyday lives, and never leaves us. His is a hope that holds.
In the countries where we serve Mary’s Meals, the challenges facing people are enormous, with long-term and often complex causes. But time and time again we see that, where our nutritious meals are served, hope springs up. Communities who have felt forgotten and unseen in their suffering find renewed hope in being remembered by others – and in the arrival of simple school meals and accessible education for their children. This video of the first day of Mary’s Meals at Namingwere Primary School, in Malawi, earlier this year, shows this hope in an unforgettable way.
Yet, for the children and families we serve, hope springs not just from the school meals themselves – critical and life-changing though they are – but from the gifts and kindness of others that have brought vital food to their communities. Freely given – little acts of remembering and choosing to help. In their sacrifice, these acts become ‘poured out love’ in the simplest form – a mug of porridge for a hungry child.
Doubling hope at a special time of year
This Christmas, with Double The Love, these little acts will have twice the impact. Thanks to a generous group of donors, all donations to Mary’s Meals will be matched up to £1.1 million*. So, while we may not be able to help you with the disappointment of over-cooked sprouts or a gift that doesn’t quite hit the mark, we can help you give the gift of ‘hope that doesn’t disappoint’ to hungry children, their families and their communities this Christmas. And, with Double The Love, your kindness – and that hope – will go twice as far.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Blessed and Happy Christmas.
Joanna Blake
Supporter Engagement Officer
Southwest England and South Wales
* The gift matching will end when we reach the £1.1 million total.
Pray With Us:
- Lord, clothe us with Your love this Christmas.
- Lord, teach us how to share what is not ours to keep.
- Lord, may the children who eat Mary’s Meals receive ‘hope that does not disappoint’ this Christmas.
