It's not always the most wonderful time of the year...

I have had this post on my mind for a little while.  But I just didn't think I could write it without it coming across the wrong way, so I left it alone.  But I just can't stop thinking about it, so I am going to try to say what's on my heart as gently as I can, because I certainly don't mean to offend anyone even in the slightest!

I think it's so heartbreaking that Christmas is a sad time of year for people.  I understand completely of course why that might happen.  People lose loved ones, and they miss them the most around holidays-- especially Christmas in many cases.  I would too!  Some people have cherished traditions they have always followed, and now they can't for some reason.  Some have lost jobs, money is not there, children are wayward, maybe there was a divorce or there is an illness.  We know some families whose children are going to be in the hospital in the process of having bone marrow transplants right over the Christmas holiday.  There is no end to the heartbreak that plagues us as human beings living in this fallen world, and sadly, holidays can just be downright painful when all is not right with us.  I don't mean to make light of any of this.  And I pray with all my heart that if this is you this Christmas, that God would lift your burden--whatever it is. 

I guess the reason why I decided to go ahead and write this post, is to try and encourage people who might be feeling down.  God has been impressing it upon my heart so strongly that Christmas really is simply what it is.  It is the birth of His Son, the Savior of the world.  Like I said a few posts back, isn't that amazing??  There is nothing whatsoever sad about it!  Christmas is the celebration of the very best thing that has EVER happened on this planet.  The One who came to bring an END to all of the terrible things I wrote about up there.  The One who is with us and helps us through them.  The One who made a way for us to leave this old, dilapadated, stinky world with all of its troubles and live forever with Him.  Treading very lightly, I am just suggesting that probably God would not want us to be sad around Christmas time of all times!  It doesn't really make sense when you think about it that way.  Don't you wish that we could take off all our human emotions (because I know that is easier said than done) and simply see CHRIST at Christmas?  It really doesn't have anything to do with our human family, our traditions, our things, the presents, or anything we tack onto it to make us feel warm and happy.  Those things are wonderful, and trust me, we do all of those things as part of our celebration.  But I am trying to remind myself always that those are manmade Christmas ideas that can be taken away.  I don't want to get so attached to them that I would not be able to enjoy Christmas without them.  Does that make sense?

I guess I'm just saying that I wish nobody had to be sad at Christmas time. My hope is that everyone could put aside their expectations about what Christmas should feel like, and focus entirely on what it really is.  And I think if we could do that, this whole world couldn't contain our joy! 

Merry Christmas from us to you.  To God be all the glory for the wonderful gift He has given us!!

John 3:16--For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.