By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

I recently had the opportunity to cover the Living Christmas Walk at Goose Pond Park.

The walking track had been transformed into a trail through the New Testament, starting with the visit of an angel to Mary.

As someone who has often enjoyed acting in Christmas plays, I could appreciate just how much work it took to make the event a success.

It was amazing to see each scene come together.

Even though it was dark and the ground was wet, the message of the true meaning of Christmas still shone through.

It is so fitting that this time of year carries with it so much anticipation, for young and old alike, because anticipation was at an all-time high for many right before Jesus was born. The Jews, God’s chosen people, had been waiting for centuries for deliverance from oppressors. They longed for the Messiah to come and set things right.

Some, like Simeon in the book of Matthew, were eagerly waiting, longing to see the Christ in their lifetime. Others were surprised by his coming.

God had sent messages of His love to His people many times, in many ways before, but this was the first time He had come Himself as fully God yet still a man that people could talk and relate to.

His coming fulfilled the longing of the ages, but it also brought a greater hope. The hope that humanity could know God in a truly personal way. The hope that God would forgive all our sins and make our future bright.

Although many may not have understood it when they saw the baby Jesus, He grew up to fulfill each of these hopes. He died to pay the penalty for our sins and rose again, so we no longer have to fear death.

It is like the Christmas song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” states “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

He fulfilled hopes and conquered fears. I hope that this will be true for you this Christmas as well.

Merry Christmas!