[275 words] My great-grandson is counting the days until Christmas. Almost every morning as we leave for school he will tell me how many days are left until the holiday arrives. He has “hope“ of getting presents, of being out of school for two weeks. and for all the good times that are waiting. Sometimes he says he “can’t wait!” Paul wrote about a far greater hope that Christians have in Christ Jesus. He noted how Moses’ face shined so brightly after being in the presence of God that he had to wear a veil so people could look at him (Exodus 34:29-33). The Israelites had the “hope” of a coming Messiah–but did not understand what that meant. Christians know the hope of eternal life through the gospel of that Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Paul said this hope is laid up for us in heaven (Col. 1:5). Jesus said He was leaving…