You may be celebrating your first Christmas without a loved one. Or perhaps you just lost your job and have no idea what the future holds. Maybe you long for the Christmas in your memories when you and your family were close and could all celebrate together. You might be facing Christmas in the midst of broken relationships that you have no control over.
We all have imperfect lives that we share with other imperfect people. At Christmas time, it seems that all the difficulties are magnified because we want it to be the perfect season, the “Hallmark” Christmas. Even before Hallmark got into making movies, they had their Christmas card commercials on TV that gave everyone those warm fuzzy feelings about the holidays. This may cause us to set our expectations too high.
I learned long ago that it is a rare occasion to have all my family together at Christmas. Last year was one of those years and it could be a long time before it happens again. I’ve learned to be thankful for those family members that I have around me each year and enjoy my time with them rather than waiting for the “perfect” Christmas with everyone present.
But maybe your family has had some bigger challenges and aren’t even speaking to one another. The holidays can become something you dread instead of look forward too.
This is when you must remind yourself of the reason for the season. Jesus came to give us hope. He brings peace on earth. And only He can bring peace into our families. Only He can comfort our hearts in the midst of our sorrows.
If Christmas looks bleak from where you stand, change the direction you are looking. Turn around and look for those you can bless. Finding ways to brighten someone else’s holiday will bring joy to you as well as others.
How can you show the love of Christ this Christmas?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14:27