David Miller of Keighley Shared Church writes

During the whole of 2008, Christians Together in England and Wales will celebrate HOPE 08.

All the major denominations will be working together to bring hope in our villages, towns and cities.

The beginning of every year is always a time for hope, fresh hope, new resolution and even new year resolutions. Lent and Easter bring Christians big HOPE. Whitsun in May brings HOPE on the streets. In September, HOPE explored, while Christmas-tide is the gift of HOPE.

To live without hope is impossible for a Christian since God provides us with a world full of promise and good things.

During the 1940s, I can remember in those dark and fearful days that so many people were full of optimism and looked forward to better days. Such is a Christian heritage.

As the psalmist says: "And now what do I wait for? My hope is in the Lord," and again "But as for me, I shall wait in continual hope". Paul wrote to the Romans that "by the encouragement in the scriptures, we shall have hope".

On a personal note, I am sure we all have hopes and dreams, some are of worldwide significance, such as the abolition of hunger and strife in places like Darfur, Kenya and Zimbabwe, and others are of more local significance.

For instance, I am proud to be a member of Keighley Town Council and hope sincerely that the time will come when the council will be of sufficient strength and quality that Keighley can throw off the shackles of big brother Bradford, provided, of course, that all our members can strive and succeed in creating concord and harmony among themselves.

To sum up, hope is such an essential ingredient of a successful life exemplified in a wonderful passage from Paul's letter to the Romans saying: "And may God who is the ground of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you live the life of faith, until by the power of the Holy Spirit you overflow with HOPE."