For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
It’s almost Christmas! For many, this time of year is about celebrating with family and friends. Yet, no matter how we attempt to enjoy the few quiet moments, it seems we will all experience some of the frantic scramble of the season. There are gifts yet to be purchased, meals yet to be prepared, and beds yet to be made for weary travelers coming to visit.
There will be the sugar rush from cookies and goodies, and despite our best intentions, we will indulge. Christmas comes but once a year, after all.
I’m also very much aware that some of us are experiencing a time of grief during this Christmas season. The holidays can be difficult to enjoy when the people we used to celebrate with are no longer with us.
Strange how one holiday can evoke so many different emotions. Grief and joy, sorrow and hope, anxiety and eagerness–Christmas contains them all. With so many emotions to feel, it’s important that we make intentional space to rest. We spend all year running from project to project, meeting to meeting, event to event, and I pray that all of us (myself included) will remember to be still.
Perhaps you’re like me, and you are prone to miss seeing Jesus in the hurry and bustle and frivolity of this season. But just because we miss Him doesn’t mean He isn’t there. Our Savior, born in Bethlehem years ago, continues to come to us today in our celebration and sorrows; when times are easy, or not.
If your Christmas is bright with joy and love, celebrate and contemplate what God has done, is doing, and will do for each of you because of Jesus. If your Christmas is more subdued this year, struggling with sorrow and battling with grief, celebrate the hope you still have for all the same reasons.
No matter where we are or who we are, we could all take five minutes to reflect on what the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in the Gospel of Luke:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11 (ESV)
Jesus came to save us all those years ago, born to die so that we might live. Our gracious heavenly Father gave Him to us in fulfillment of the promises He made thousands of years earlier. The story of Christmas is a story of hope. Let’s all make time this year to stop the wild rush and chaotic moments to remember and give thanks.
Wishing you a very blessed and Merry Christmas.
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