It’s the most wonderful times of the year. Full of festivities and cheer and decorations. Its that time of the year where everyone is in good spirits. The anticipation of the approaching holiday leaves excitement in the year.
But sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes, life just keeps on going. Like it doesn’t understand that everything should be sugar coated and surrounded by twinkle lights. In December, no one should be sick, or stressed, or sad. No one should lose their jobs or get unwanted bills. Their cars should not break down. Their families should not go through struggles. And yet, they still do. Life does not stop. Drama and brokenness does not take a break for the Holidays.
The question of the season is “What is on your Christmas list?” The internet is full of gift guides for all the things that should be under your tree. All the things that should change your life after December 25th.
What do you want for Christmas?
Not all of you have easy answers for that question. Sure you will still love the sweater or the gadget. But what do you really want.
Healing
Mended relationships
Answers
Direction
A job
A home
A family
Most of the things you really want can’t be boxed and wrapped. You want peace from anxiety. To be able to buy presents for your kids. You want deliverance from unspeakable trials. You want more time with a loved one, while mourning their loss.
The older I get the more I realize how much effort some exert to make a Holiday festive for everyone around them. They put on a happy face, serve, plan, buy, make, and do all the things to see create joy for those around them. But it doesn’t always come easy. Behind the smile can be worries, sadness, tears, and anxiety.
So for those of us who can’t stop life in the midst of the Holidays, here is my list of gifts you already have been given.
Salvation not only for eternity, but daily salvation from the brokenness of this world.
Hope in the deliverance that is promised through Christ
Christ who identifies with your pain and sorrow.
Abundant life even beyond the painful things.
Promised healing and restoration.
Patience from God when life is hard, and you just can’t keep it together.
A God who is near to the broken hearted and crushed in spirit.
A God who will fight for you when you feel beat down and persecuted
Eternity when life on this earth just plain sucks.
Companionship when you are lonely
Provision when you’re hungry
The list can go on and on. They aren’t under the tree, but they are already there if you have put your hope in Christ. Cling to them. Trust that they are true even when it doesn’t feel like it. Lean into Christ’s arms when twinkle lights doesn’t ease your spirit. Share with a trusted friend when you are faking the Christmas spirit. Pray… Always. Fill your heart with the truth of God’s word, even more than Christmas movies and carols.
The beauty of Christmas is that God sent his son into a world that was lost and hurting. The first Christmas wasn’t full of cheer and festivities. He came to a woman who was single and scorned. He came to shepherds who were cast out and poor. He came when people were angry and hurting and lost.
But He came. Don’t forget that. When life is hard, remember He came. He came to fix what was broken. He finished it 33 difficult years later on the cross. He will bring you through it. He will deliver.
We may have a few more hard Christmases in our lifetime. And that is ok. Because what He began in a manager, He will finish with us in glory. Where there will be no pain or tears or heartache. And that is what Christmas is all about. That is why it is joyful, because what is not yet complete will be soon. We have a picture of what is coming, because Jesus came to earth.
Take heart. Cling to hope. Endure in the Spirit. And when you can choose joy. Because He is worth celebrating!