Hosanna in the Highest!
Dec 31, 2024 by Addison Crissone
2024 has undoubtedly been a hard year for my family and me; it was a year of hardship, heartaches, loss, and sorrow.
But, looking back over all the days and weeks that have passed since 2024 dawned as the new year, I can see also that it has been a year of God's guidance and providence, a time of persistent hope and peace despite the difficult circumstances we found ourselves in.
Many of us do 'recaps' of our lives every year just before the new year begins. I suppose this is my 'recap' of sorts.
For the past two, maybe three, years, I have had a theme given to me for the new year ahead; each of these themes showcases a different name, attribute, or character trait of our faithful God.
In 2023, I learned to trust God as my Father as he led me deeper into my faith than I had ever gone before. In 2024, he was my Sheperd from Psalm 23 as He guided me not only to write my first novel, but also guided me as I navigated the grief of a lost loved one.
In His time, God has never failed to reveal himself to me in these ways.
And so, the theme for 2025 will be Hosanna- the one who rescues, saves, delivers, and is worthy of praise.
"Hosanna" is used to express a cry for help, as a declaration of the need for salvation, and as a request for freedom. We all need help. And we all need to be rescued at some point or another.
It is by exclaiming that Jesus is Hosanna that we are saved: we are expressing our belief and trust in Jesus that he can (and will) save us.
We find the name "Hosanna" occasionally sprinkled throughout the book of Psalms, though many of us will recall the story mostly from the biblical account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem found in the gospels.
Here is Matthew's take on it:
I'm not exactly sure where God will take me in this journey called life in the days and weeks ahead, but I know that I can trust him as my Father, my Shepherd, and my Hosanna.
What is the theme you have been given for this new year? What is God revealing to you about himself, and asking you to come and experience his heart in a new way? How is Jesus seeking to restore your soul in the days to come?
Whatever it is, I pray that you will listen to his voice and follow him into this new year with hope and trust in Hosanna.
But, looking back over all the days and weeks that have passed since 2024 dawned as the new year, I can see also that it has been a year of God's guidance and providence, a time of persistent hope and peace despite the difficult circumstances we found ourselves in.
Many of us do 'recaps' of our lives every year just before the new year begins. I suppose this is my 'recap' of sorts.
For the past two, maybe three, years, I have had a theme given to me for the new year ahead; each of these themes showcases a different name, attribute, or character trait of our faithful God.
In 2023, I learned to trust God as my Father as he led me deeper into my faith than I had ever gone before. In 2024, he was my Sheperd from Psalm 23 as He guided me not only to write my first novel, but also guided me as I navigated the grief of a lost loved one.
In His time, God has never failed to reveal himself to me in these ways.
And so, the theme for 2025 will be Hosanna- the one who rescues, saves, delivers, and is worthy of praise.
"Hosanna" is used to express a cry for help, as a declaration of the need for salvation, and as a request for freedom. We all need help. And we all need to be rescued at some point or another.
It is by exclaiming that Jesus is Hosanna that we are saved: we are expressing our belief and trust in Jesus that he can (and will) save us.
We find the name "Hosanna" occasionally sprinkled throughout the book of Psalms, though many of us will recall the story mostly from the biblical account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem found in the gospels.
Here is Matthew's take on it:
"And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,
"Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"
-Matthew 21:9
"Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"
-Matthew 21:9
We must note that Matthew said all the crowds before and all that followed behind him were shouting praises to him, meaning that no matter if you are just coming to know him as Hisanna, or if you have known him as such for many years, we all shout praises to him.
No matter your age, race, maturity in Christ, knowledge, feelings, actions, or heritage, we are all able and expected to shout praises to Jesus, our deliverer, and rescuer- for he is the only one worthy of our praise and adoration.
Believe me, I have known Jesus for over a third of my life. But we all need to be reminded of who it is who died to save us, and who can still save us today. We need not only to be reminded but to be revived and restored. After everything that has happened this year, both good and bad, I am tired. I am weary.
And I need to be restored.
No matter your age, race, maturity in Christ, knowledge, feelings, actions, or heritage, we are all able and expected to shout praises to Jesus, our deliverer, and rescuer- for he is the only one worthy of our praise and adoration.
Believe me, I have known Jesus for over a third of my life. But we all need to be reminded of who it is who died to save us, and who can still save us today. We need not only to be reminded but to be revived and restored. After everything that has happened this year, both good and bad, I am tired. I am weary.
And I need to be restored.
I'm not exactly sure where God will take me in this journey called life in the days and weeks ahead, but I know that I can trust him as my Father, my Shepherd, and my Hosanna.
What is the theme you have been given for this new year? What is God revealing to you about himself, and asking you to come and experience his heart in a new way? How is Jesus seeking to restore your soul in the days to come?
Whatever it is, I pray that you will listen to his voice and follow him into this new year with hope and trust in Hosanna.
