Christmas time can be a hard time of year. I love buying gifts and spending time with the people I love, but often find myself struggling during the Christmas season. The sadness and changes in life are magnified during this season, one in which we put so much effort into establishing and maintaining familiar routines.
{“If you are suffering this Christmas, you have far more in common with Jesus than the comfortable and contented.” ~Vaneeth Rendall Risner}
This year the realities of life have caused me to move into the holiday season thoughtfully and soberly. The idealistic picture of Christmas that used to hang in the back of my mind has blown away with the winds of change. Somewhere along the way I became tired of fighting to make it something it can never really be.
There is a type of knowing that comes with years of living as each year builds on the last. God slowly opened our eyes to truth and allowed us to experience the joy and pain of change. Since Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, then it’s okay that all the hype during the holidays becomes somewhat meaningless. It’s okay to enter quietly and feel the sadness of the realities and the changes that have taken place. The losses, deaths, sickness, and suffering that are present are merely reminders of why we so desperately need a Savior and why Jesus was born in the first place.
The birth of Jesus is a celebration because it is the reason we can experience JOY even when we are weary! I am moving into this Christmas season feeling weary and I am spending a lot of time on my knees fighting the battle in my heart and mind. I have been crying out to Him with a heavy heart fighting to see things from His perspective. I am reminded of this:
Christ was born for one purpose: To die for the sins of people who rebelled because they thought God and his plan wasn’t enough. They wanted more.
The Christmas season can be a struggle because the stark realities of life don’t take a holiday break! There are days I have to fight to find joy in the moment, but in the end it is there. I just need to focus on the reason He came.
And wearily rejoice that He was born.
