So, what if your Christmas looks totally different?
Maybe your Christmas celebrations will be missing a loved one. Perhaps they’re serving abroad with the military, were promoted to heaven, or the relationship recently dissolved. You may be facing other challenges such as a health crisis or a lost job. Is Christmas then ruined?
What was the first Christmas like?
Mary and Joseph were alone, away from home and family and in a strange city. They did not have a decorated home with family present and beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. All they had was a dirty stable inside a smelly barn.
Mary, a teenager and a first-time mother, did not have the blessing of a clean hospital. Giving birth was painful and messy. Joseph probably felt helpless to provide a decent birthing place for his wife.
After their blessed baby Jesus was born, they didn’t have family to celebrate with them, only shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and the wise men. Soon they would face the danger of a king bent on killing their child and Mary’s reputation had been harmed permanently.
What did Mary and Joseph have that first Christmas?
They had the Child of promise. Jesus, which means “Jehovah saves,” who would reconcile them to God by taking care of their greatest need.
It’s certainly not wrong to enjoy a decorated tree and family gathered together with festive food. But when we don’t have the perfect Christmas, we can always make room in our hearts for Christ. Jesus can be our Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God and Prince of Peace.
This Christmas season, all of us from NFA wish you the joy of knowing Christ personally and the hope He brings to everyone who makes room in their heart for Him.
Have a Merry Christmas filled with hope!
Karen Bowling