For most people the Christmas season is filled with joy, but
for some this can be a very difficult time of year. Our culture portrays this as a season full of
laughter and generates wonderful expectations of “the perfect Christmas.”
However, when all our expectations are not met
we sometimes find ourselves full of sorrow. Since Christmas is a season of joy,
we sometimes internalize any sorrow and this can make the problem worse.
However, God doesn’t promise us the “perfect Christmas”
where all of our expectations for the season are flawlessly played out. He actually
gave us something better. He gave us Himself and from now on….no matter
what….He is with us! The true joy of Christmas is Emmanuel! Christ is with us!
We sometimes simplify the Christmas story to leave out the hard
or difficult parts. It must have been
stressful for Joseph to find a place in the overcrowded town of Bethlehem for
his wife as she was about to give birth….but God was there! Emmanuel! (Luke 2:4-7)
Even after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary had to flee to
Egypt to escape Herod’s attempt to kill the true King of Israel. That probably
wasn’t a joyful evening, fleeing in the night with a young child on foot with whatever
they could carry….but God was there in full control of the situation. (Matthew 2:13-15)
Even today there are many things that life throws at us
during this season but no matter what… God’s amazing gift of Himself remains.
If you find yourself on Christmas morning lonely or missing
a loved one… God is with us. Emmanuel! (Matthew 19:14)
If you are dealing with a difficult or broken relationship… God
is with us! Emmanuel! (Psalm 34:18)
If you are nervous or uncertain about what the next year or
next semester holds…God is with us! Emmanuel! (Jeremiah 29:11)
If you are exhausted from being tossed about in the storms
of life…God is with us! Emmanuel! (Luke 8:23-25)
No matter where you find yourself today cherish the amazing gift
of Christ. Let’s remind ourselves that God truly is with us and actively look
for Him today. Let’s also try to take a
moment to notice others who may not be having a joyful Christmas season this
year. We can remind them of how great God’s love is for all of us and that no
matter what… God is with us! Emmanuel!
