How do you feel this Christmas?
Joyful?
Peaceful?
Happy?
or…
Sad….
Frustrated…
Worried…
When we listen, we hear the stories of many heartbroken people.
Mary……whose extended family lost eight homes during a flood. As I held her, she cried on my shoulder, telling me how difficult Christmas is because her mother has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t recognize her anymore.
Jamie…. a sweet Sister in Christ, a young mom bravely fighting cancer.
Linda…… called telling me that her father just passed away. He, too, lost a battle with cancer.
I am sure you have your own Mary, Jamie and Linda in your life.
As I prayed over these sweet souls, I became so aware of the hurting hearts all around me. I have heard the statistics of Christmas suicides. I have pondered why this time of year, which should be so full of hope and joy, can be so depressing for many.
When a hurting heart watches holiday TV programs and commercials, the families are smiling around a dinner table…everyone happy. She can think she is the only one who feels alone….the only one who feels sad…who feels…let down about Christmas…..who wonders, “Is this all there is?” She shops (but cannot afford to), trying to buy all of the items that are promised to bring happiness.
Have we forgotten what Christmas is about?
Christmas is HOPE because Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to bring hope. Immanuel, God is With Us. He knows our hearts. He knows our worries. He knows our loneliness. He wants to comfort, heal, and bring peace.
Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus brings Light to this dark world. And, He wants us, as Christ followers, to share this Light with the world. He wants us to share this Hope to the hurting….to the confused….to the lonely.
Jesus never promised that we would live a pain free life here on earth. In fact, He tells us the opposite. “In this life, you will have trouble…” But, Jesus also gives hope because He continues by saying, “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
This world is not our home. We have an incredible, glorious inheritance that can never perish, a living hope, joy unspeakable, everlasting life when we return Home to live forever with our Savior. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”. We can’t even imagine what God has stored up for us.
And, while we live our lives here on earth, we are promised LIFE and life to the full. We are promised that He is walking with us, bringing us comfort, peace, and joy….true joy that is not dependent on circumstances, but comes from the hope we have in Him.
This Christmas, be a Light. This Christmas, extend your hand of hope to a hurting heart. This Christmas, like Mary, sit at the feet of Jesus, basking in His love, peace, and hope.
Beautiful post Tracy, this is truly the Christmas message, hope. And yet, it is such a difficult time of year for so many. Your point about helping others is great and, of course, your reminder of our heavenly home is always timely.
Andie
Tracy, great post and reminder that we need to reach out to the hurting this Christmas season, after all, isn’t that exactly what Jesus did for us!
Yes. You are right. Although it is a happy and joyful Christmas for some…it is also a painful and lonely Christmas for others.
Lord, help us to be sensitive to the hurting hearts.
Yes, we need to be sensitive to those who hurting. I spent time on the Rest Ministries Sunroom (a chat room) on Thanksgiving. There were so many hurting both physically and emotionally. I prayed with several of them. Thank you for this great reminder.
Have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.