What if Christmas wasn't just a season but a permanent reality in our lives? This powerful message explores Paul's letter to the Colossians, unpacking the profound mystery that was hidden for ages: Christ in us, the hope of glory. We're invited to examine where we've placed our hope—in performance, recognition, control, or approval—and discover how God continually redefines what true hope means. The heart of the gospel isn't just that God visited us two thousand years ago in a manger, but that through the Holy Spirit, He has moved in permanently. This is Forever Christmas: God with us, now and always. The same Spirit who hovered over creation and raised Jesus from the dead lives within every believer, transforming us from the inside out. This isn't wishful thinking or optimism; it's confident expectation based on God's faithfulness. When we grasp that Christ dwelling within us is the most glorious, weighty thing in our lives, everything changes. We stop chasing earthly glory—status, applause, recognition—and start reflecting Christ's character. We learn that hope grows best in the dark, in the waiting seasons when no one sees our struggles. The Advent tradition of lighting candles becomes a beautiful reminder that even the smallest flame brings warmth and light, pointing us to the reality that our inheritance cannot be taken away.