Several years ago I shared some musings on how the Christmas story is one of turmoil and pain. I've been thinking about that more during morning prayer here at Sonlight. The prayer requests are typical of our fallen world -- sickness, death, conflict, even international incidents that make it to our ears -- but the timing feels extra painful.
"How horrible to lose a father right before Christmas," someone says.
It's true. While the rest of the world rejoices, we find our lives rocked by one hurt or another.
Christmas Pain
On one hand, I'm so thankful for the passage about rejoicing and mourning with people. We can do both at the same time. It's not at all hypocritical -- through producing a bit of emotional whiplash -- to celebrate the birth of Christ and an annual unity with believers while also crying with a hurting friend, relative, or even on your own.
Christ is our Redeemer, our Savior, the One who makes things new.
That is still in process.
But you don't have to fake it. This is real life, and He came into it to heal us, pour out grace, and remind us to keep looking to the Father.
As I blogged before, there are many things about Christ's birth story that sound very similar to today (divorce, politics, death threats, and more). This is Christmas.
Your house a mess? Your life in upheaval? You feeling beaten down because of this or that?
This is Christmas.
You fit right in.
Come, let us adore Him, the One who came to address our hurts by setting aside His divinity and sacrificing Himself for us.
This is Christmas.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Pseudo-Dad
Thank you Luke for a good focus, both Joy and suffering are part of life, at Christmas and throughout the year but yes at Christmas it seems harder to bear, all are Happy Clappy but thankfully we as Christians have something wonderful to give thanks for regardless of our Trouble, as confirmed in the Scripture below, we never suffer hardship alone.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Wishing you much Love, Joy, and Peace for Christmas Luke and may God’s abundant blessings overflow for you in the New year.
Christian Love in Christ Jesus - Anne.
Thank you so much, Anne!
~Luke