Peace family, there is so much to have joy about this season. This, the third week of advent, focuses on the joy that we have in Christ.
Unfortunately, despite the message and sparkle of the season, we can often feel stressed, or even deeply depressed at Christmas. We have trouble meeting expectations and managing time, or maybe we have painful memories of loss or dysfunction in our families. Maybe we have health struggles, financial hardships, or continued relationship troubles.
The fact is, Christ didn’t come so that we might have a Hallmark Christmas with the perfect food and decorations, the perfect temperature and weather, all of the children being grateful, and a spouse making us feel like the most special person in the world. All of those things would be great, and the lack of them can leave us feeling hollow, disappointed, and maybe even like a failure, but they aren’t what make Christmas, Christmas. Christmas is about Christ being born so that the relationship between God and humans could be restored, despite His perfection and the fact that not only are we imperfect, but we consistently choose to do what seems good to us, often against God’s will.
Peace family, no matter what else is going on, we can still find joy as we trust God that he is good, and remember the celebration and redemption to be had in Christ’s coming. God doesn’t call us to be fake about our feelings, but he does call us to be focused on him and his perspective. Often, if we can change our point of view, then our feelings will change, too. Without Jesus, the world would be so much worse than a conversion from Bedford Falls to Pottersville. Take some time to consider what all God has done for humans as a whole, and his friendship to us. Let’s focus on the goodness of God. What specific ways has he blessed your family this year? How has he specifically blessed you? What can you thank him for? What can you cling to joy about?
Sometimes with all of the rush and bustle, it’s easy to let things steal our joy. This week, let’s you and me both hold onto joy, and really consider the joy that we have in Christ.
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