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Love and joy, peace and hope, these are the themes most often mentioned in Christmas cards this time of year. Unfortunately, the challenges of life often reduce these wonderful emotions to little more than fuzzy feelings and sentimental platitudes. We all know these are challenging times. Today, the news is full of troubling stories that remind us of high unemployment, the horrors of war, and the heartache of indiscretion and immorality. It’s no surprise that many people suffer with bouts of anxiety and depression, especially during the holidays. Some withdrawal as loneliness takes on a more foreboding presence than usual while others seek comfort in shopping or in festivities and parties only to experience emptiness and a lack of contentment after the holiday passes. I enjoy the gaiety of the season as well but at best these distractions provide only a temporary relief from the trials and tribulations of every day life.
Still, I believe Christmas holds the key to experiencing love and joy and peace and hope throughout the year regardless of life’s circumstances. Christmas is the story of love renewed and hope restored through the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who came to rescue and redeem those trapped in a world of grief and pain and suffering. He came because of the Father’s great love for us and he came to bring peace to the afflicted, joy to the troubled and hope to those in despair.
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you would accept this child afresh and know the transforming power of Jesus Christ. You can experience more than fleeting emotions and sentimentality this Christmas through the daily presence of his Spirit. It was no mistake that he was named Emmanuel, meaning God with us, because even today he is an ever-present help to his people. He is hope and peace and true joy to those who know him as Messiah and Lord. He is the best gift any of us could ever receive.
Have a very merry Christmas in Jesus Christ,
Joe
Merry Christmas!
