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.
John 3:16 NKJV
Have you seen the Christmas movie about the elderly lady alone on Christmas Day reading her Bible? They never made a movie about it, but that is the reality for many folks this Christmas. There is the mom who is crying because of her wayward child, and there is the family who watched their home burn to the ground. Many will not have family to spend time with, while others dread the family dinner.
For many people Christmas will not be the happiest time of the year, but the first Christmas wasn’t that happy either. Mary, nine months pregnant, was weary from the long journey on a donkey. They could not even get a room, and they had to bunk with the animals. On top of all that, these two teenagers had to deliver Baby Jesus on their own. What they did have was joy.
They had the joy of birthing the Messiah into the world. They had the joy of knowing that God had chosen them for this honor. Their joy was in the fact that God loved them enough to send His Son to die in their place.
God loves us “so” much. No words can describe the depths of His love. God’s love is one that we cannot fathom. Paul wrote that it passes knowledge (Eph. 3:19). Jeremiah said, “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jer. 31:3).
God loves us when it seems like no one else does. God will not leave us even when others leave (Heb. 13:5).
Our Christmas may not be perfect, but we have the love of Jesus. They may steal our happy, but they can never steal our joy.
Father in heaven,
You love me! I just want to stay in this moment and try to absorb the immeasurable love You have for me. Even when I fail, You love me. Thank You. I love You! Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Meditate on these verses: Rom. 8:38-39, 1 Cor. 2:9, Gal. 2:20, and 1 John 3:1.
HIKING THE TRAIL
Make the effort to brighten the Christmas of someone who struggles during this season.
Originally posted on December 21, 2020 @ 3:00 am
This has been the first Christmas I have struggled so badly. Last year (2019) was the 1st without my mom and even though I was sad I still had joy about the season. This year (2020) has been so hard. I could not put up my tree, I can’t listen to Christmas music with out feeling so sad or even slightly angry so I have just avoided Christmas music as much as I could, and I have purchased 1 gift this year and I am still waiting for it to arrive LOL. When my friend and I do exchange the gifts it will be a porch drop off no contact exchange. I am so thankful to have Jesus in my life. He is the one who has kept me sane over the last 6 months of having zero physical contact/touch of another person. I have the Joy of The Lord even if my Joy of Christmas is lacking.
You are not alone in that. Everyone is feeling something similar. I remember the Christmases after my daughter left home without contact. It was awful. I am sending you a virtual hug and prayers.