How is Christmas for you?
All good and rosy and joyful?
Or maybe, somewhere in the mix, some less than rosy things, too?
I’m feeling very blessed and grateful this year. But a friend reminded me recently that for some people, Christmas can be tough. And I really want this blog to be a place of refuge; of hope; of encouragement.
So here are a few thoughts of encouragement this Christmas, with a prayer that the Lord will bless and encourage you, whatever Christmas looks like for you.
(And if you’ve never found eternal hope through the Baby in the manger, which is the foundation of the hope and encouragements I share, you can find out more here).
- Something the Lord has reminded me of at different times is that He is God with us. When things feel painful or lonely or touched by grief, the promise of His presence with us in the mess and the ache can feel even more precious.
- I am also encouraged that Christmas doesn’t have to feel perfect. You are loved, regardless of what Christmas looks like.
- I mess up often, but the Lord encourages me that there is a Saviour for every time we fail: a Saviour Who came vulnerable and humble, in self-giving love.
- At different times in my life, He has show me so tenderly that He is the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3), and that He understands, He cares and He is able to comfort so very tenderly, including when things highlight grief and emptiness and gaps in our lives.
- One thing Covid taught me is to be grateful for what I have, instead of focusing on what I don’t have. Remember that Covid Christmas when many were all alone? Even just being with someone you love, even in imperfect mess, is a gift to be appreciated. Noticing blessings and being grateful for them multiplies joy.
- The Lord encourages me that lights in the winter darkness are a reminder that the darkness never wins in the end, when we belong to Him.
- Materialism and presents are over-rated. Many people in this world are hungry and in need. There is so much blessing in giving to others. And there is hidden joy in doing so!! Even if your Christmas is hard, could you find joy in doing something (even something small) for someone else? ‘”And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “‘ Acts 20:35b
- Taking time to stop and think about the awesome Creator coming down to be a vulnerable baby with us blows your mind!!! And it can bring comfort and hope.
- If the Lord chose to include shepherds in His story, when shepherds were unseen and rejected in their society, then surely none of us need to think we don’t matter to Him.
- I remember watching a children’s Christmas nativity play one year. It suddenly hit me that, as well as being amazing, the Christmas story is such a good story!! A story that kids can relate to, and people can enjoy- a story of the unexpected and the messy and the glorious, all mixed together. A story that sticks, and is great for being told over and over again! If God could write such a beautiful story in the Nativity, doesn’t it give hope that He can make our stories beautiful too?
‘“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.’ Matthew 1:23
Those are some thoughts of encouragement this Christmas.
May they bless and encourage you today.
Whatever your Christmas is like this year, may you be encouraged by the Lord.
With love and prayers,
Caroline
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 