We tend to romanticize the Christmas Holidays, painting pictures of softly falling snow, families gathered around a brightly burning fire, stockings hung in expectation and children dressed in cozy pajamas, sitting quietly as Dad reads a Christmas story. The house smells of cinnamon and ginger, peppermint and balsam. There are heaping plates of cookies and steaming cups of hot chocolate topped with mounds of whipped cream. If that is your Christmas card, I want to peek into your living room AFTER the photographer is finished. We pretend that “All is calm; all is bright,” when at times it feels more as if, “Grandma got run over by a reindeer.”
Sometimes our lives are not so “picture-perfect,” even though or perhaps because of a holiday. The high expectations and demands may magnify the sense of failure. Pictures of happy families gathered together remind you of great loss and the loneliness is intensified. There are no visions of beribboned presents, beautifully decorated trees and heaping platters of good food as you view your little tree that no one else wanted, decorated with paper chains, presiding over the meager offerings lying under its crooked branches. “Holly Jolly Christmas” certainly isn’t your song of choice.
Yes, life is no “Respecter of Holidays.” In the last two days, three of my friends have lost loved ones; grief cannot be postponed because it is Christmas. Some of my friends are facing “firsts” after saying goodbye to those closest to them; loneliness does not take a hiatus and return at a more convenient time. Others have lost jobs and the mountains of gifts have been exchanged for a hot meal and another month’s rent. Two New York families have changed their “dancing into mourning” because of a deliberate, senseless execution of their policemen husbands. Life isn’t perfect, the world is in turmoil, yet the “Hope of Christmas” is still alive, beckoning us to come and “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.”
Over two thousand years ago, life was not so “picture perfect,” either. The world was in turmoil, a heathen government ruled, many people were in want and need; it was in this imperfect setting that God chose to send the “Hope of Christmas.” Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son….
It wasn’t about beautifully decorated homes and light displays, mountains of presents and heaping platters of steaming food, it wasn’t even about families gathered around the fireplace, singing carols of cheer; it was all about YOU and YOUR need. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. It was for you that God sent the “HOPE OF CHRISTMAS”!!!
Whatever situation you are facing during this holiday season, whatever lack you may be experiencing, I pray you will find comfort in the “Hope of Christmas.”
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Sometimes our lives are not so “picture-perfect,” even though or perhaps because of a holiday. The high expectations and demands may magnify the sense of failure. Pictures of happy families gathered together remind you of great loss and the loneliness is intensified. There are no visions of beribboned presents, beautifully decorated trees and heaping platters of good food as you view your little tree that no one else wanted, decorated with paper chains, presiding over the meager offerings lying under its crooked branches. “Holly Jolly Christmas” certainly isn’t your song of choice.
Yes, life is no “Respecter of Holidays.” In the last two days, three of my friends have lost loved ones; grief cannot be postponed because it is Christmas. Some of my friends are facing “firsts” after saying goodbye to those closest to them; loneliness does not take a hiatus and return at a more convenient time. Others have lost jobs and the mountains of gifts have been exchanged for a hot meal and another month’s rent. Two New York families have changed their “dancing into mourning” because of a deliberate, senseless execution of their policemen husbands. Life isn’t perfect, the world is in turmoil, yet the “Hope of Christmas” is still alive, beckoning us to come and “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.”
Over two thousand years ago, life was not so “picture perfect,” either. The world was in turmoil, a heathen government ruled, many people were in want and need; it was in this imperfect setting that God chose to send the “Hope of Christmas.” Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son….
It wasn’t about beautifully decorated homes and light displays, mountains of presents and heaping platters of steaming food, it wasn’t even about families gathered around the fireplace, singing carols of cheer; it was all about YOU and YOUR need. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. It was for you that God sent the “HOPE OF CHRISTMAS”!!!
Whatever situation you are facing during this holiday season, whatever lack you may be experiencing, I pray you will find comfort in the “Hope of Christmas.”
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment