The holidays have come and gone. They start earlier every year and yet it still feels like they just fly by in a blink. Some years it’s easy to soak it all up. To really enjoy all the things.
And some years it’s just not.
Some years you have to work extra hours, or you have to miss your favorite parties. Some years you can’t see your family like you thought. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel festive. Whether it be from busyness, unavoidable life situations, or just a numb heart, sometimes you just feel like you missed it.
Have you ever had those years? Where the wonder just isn’t there? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with guilt or pressure or disappointment.
Life doesn’t always fit into the mold we make for it. And you know what I have come to realize? I’m glad it doesn’t. Life was never meant to meet our expectations. Life was never meant to satisfy. It shouldn’t. Because if we were perfectly content in this life, why would we ever long for anything more.
When God sent His son into the world that night, He did not have a visions of stockings, Christmas cookies, and matching pajamas. He intended for His son to enter into unrest in every way. To be beaten, mocked, and murdered. To address all sorts of brokenness and injustice and to be met with hostility.
I firmly believe that God is a lover of celebration. There is nothing wrong with celebrating and festivities. There is not shame in taking joy in the beautiful traditions. I firmly believe with the right focus God delights in all those things.
But if you have an off year, one where you just can’t find rest in any of those things. One where you just don’t feel jolly or joyful. Know that you aren’t missing out. Our unrest in this life leads us to the realization that there is something more.
If this year never seems to stop sucking (as some years do) God is still good. He saved us for eternity no matter our present situation. And one day we will not be left disappointed. One day we will be in His presence and the celebrating will not end. So take heart.
There will most likely be better years, because even in this life, God still deeply cares about us. And the baby we celebrate on Christmas grew into a man, who gave up a lot of ideal things, to die on a cross. He overcame our sin to give us access to Himself in all His perfect kingship. And we will be with Him one day. Even in disappointment, there is so much beauty. For in all this world may lack, we have access to the abundance of Christ in glory.