Christmas Morning Thoughts

IF:Gathering is a website that houses devotionals and other resources for women mentoring/disciplining women. I subscribe to their updates and some devotionals. This morning I got an email with a note from Sharifa Stevens, IF:Gathering's Content Director. Her message is below.

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

There’s something about the Christmas hymn “O Holy Night” that, within the first few bars, puts both a lump in my throat and a leap in my heart. The contrast of the clear starry night and the languishing of the world in sin. The bright joy of the baby Jesus’ arrival and the melancholy of the weary world.

Christmas continues to be chock-full of these tensions. Our world has experienced the incarnation of Jesus Christ, but also still waits for His return. In Jesus, we have hope that will not disappoint, yet we still bury dreams, plans…loved ones.

Sister, this Christmas, please remember that we celebrate a Savior not only acquainted with suffering, but willing to enter into it with us—that’s how great His love is for us. Are you grieving? Lonely? You don’t have to hide it. Jesus, Immanuel, is with you in it.

Remember also that the baby born is also the risen King. Death could not hold Him! May the evergreen Christmas pines remind us that creation is irresistibly compelled to life when touched by Jesus—and creation includes us. The twinkling lights splashed across our homes and streets declare that light always defeats darkness.

This Christmas, I wish you all the awe and joy swaddled snugly in that first holy night. May you feel the presence of Jesus and the thrill of hope as you rejoice in this weary world.

- Sharifa Stevens

This really made me pause. I've song the words to O Holy Night countless times and never stopped to consider the weary world it references. Jesus has always been the reason for the season in my house and I can't wait to share the gift of Jesus with my girls. 

But what about the weary? The hurt? The broken? The fragile? The ashamed? The afraid? The persecuted and abused? The grieving? Do they know about the gift of Jesus and the freedom that comes in accepting that gift? Jesus defeats the darkness. EVERY. TIME. 

I know I am incredibly blessed. Every morning I look in the mirror and I do not recognize the changing body in front of me. The larger my belly becomes the bigger my heart swells at the thought of the miracle of birth. I wonder how Mary felt carrying the Savior of the world. (no pressure, right?) This year I feel especially blessed. I am in a wonderful season of life but I recognize that not everyone is. 

There will be darkness, grief, pain, suffering; but Jesus came to be a light in the darkness, the hope for a fallen and sinful world, the joy for the downtrodden. So if you find yourself in a season of suffering, doubt, hurt, loneliness or just a restless existence, take heart! Jesus came to search for and save the lost and brokenhearted. All you have to do is receive him. 

I'm not saying receiving Jesus magically wipes your problems away. But receiving Jesus gives you a joy that no amount of despair or loneliness can defeat. You can walk through trials with a joyful heart. You can see the world differently through your suffering knowing Jesus suffered too. 

I pray for everyone suffering a loss. I pray for those missing out on life because they are too hung up in their own suffering to see the beauty in the world. Cling to Jesus. Receive his joy and experience Christmas today with the wonder of a child. 

Merry Christmas!