By: Ginger Hughes
Commercials show children’s eyes alight with wonder as they come down the stairs on Christmas morning. We see couples smiling and sharing silly banter as they prepare breakfast together. Bright and shiny new toys, gifts, and even cars elicit screams and hugs.
“Merry and bright”, is the message we see and hear during this Christmas season.
With that said, however, “merry and bright” is not always how we feel this time of year.
The rush of the season, the long checkout lines, and the to-do lists can leave us feeling tired and frustrated. Financial issues or job loss can leave us feeling stressed and strained. The dynamics within our families can leave us anxious or brokenhearted. For some of us, the holidays are a stark reminder of all that we’ve lost. Perhaps a huge part of our heart is missing, and the genuine smiles and laughter that seem to come so easy for some, are starkly absent for us.
And yet…
A star appeared, shining brightly in the night; a beacon of light pointing to the Light of the world. A symbol of hope pointing to the Hope of the world.
And because of this, friends, we have hope today.
We have hope in the darkest of nights because the Light of the World has come. We have hope in the most sorrowful of days because the Hope of the World is present. And though this life will often bring us to our knees, we can rest in the knowledge that this is not our home. This is not the end.
So if you’re tired and frustrated, rest in Him.
If you’re anxious or fearful, trust in Him.
If you’re sorrowful and downtrodden, cling to Him.
If you’re broken and hopeless, hope in Him.
Though the Christmas season can feel less than joyful at times, at the core, it reminds us that God isn’t finished. Christmas reminds us that we are not alone. Christmas assures us that we are loved. And Christmas promises us that in Jesus, there is always hope.
Perhaps Christmas is indeed merry, and the Light of Christmas is certainly bright.
Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ, the Lord.’”
-Ginger Hughes is the wife of a pastor, a mother of two and an accountant. She is a Georgia native currently living in the foothills of North Carolina. Her passion for writing is fueled by the desire to offer encouragement, grace and a deeper understanding that we are all God’s children. Her blogging for Nurturing Faith is sponsored by a gift from First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Ga. Additional writings may be found at nomamasperfect.com.
