As often as we drive by twinkly light displays in people’s front yards or in the windows of stores, this time of year also can be a bit perplexing for some.
The remembrance of a loved one lost usually stings a little more this time of year.
A season of despair and loneliness can set in as jubilant shows on t.v. purport an air of merriment that should be felt no matter who you are during Christmas.
Even if a season of discouragement characterized the last month, last season, or even draped itself across the entire 2007 calendar, this time of year sometimes seems to bring out a sense of dread that quickly and adamantly opposes the joy that you see on Hallmark cards.
Little do we actually realize, though, that this sort of discouragement or lostness probably hung over the entire nation of Israel prior to the birth of Christ. It had been several hundred years since they last heard from Yahweh. The intertestamental period is quiet, and after the last prophet spoke his word, there was a period of virtual darkness…no words, no actions that are recorded Biblically from God. Had he forgotten them? Where was He? But, God never left. In fact, He was preparing the times’ fulfillment in the One who would come as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothing.
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” Matthew 1: 22-23
God is with us. Let that encourage you this season. The discouragement, the pain, He knows it for He is our great High Priest. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:15-16
The birth of our Savior dawned a new day, a new time. Let us visit the manger scene at every Christmas, awed at the birth of hope, the birth of our precious Savior. But, let us continue on past that moment and see that He is our all, He is our Salvation, the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people, of whom we as believers are now grafted into that family. (Rom 11:17)
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
Praise God for not leaving us out of the Garden forever, leaving us in our sin. He loves us, and He provided the sacrificial lamb to take the sins away. Take courage. This pain, this despair is only for a time. Christ is born, a savior has been born to us and this gives us hope. These times are fading, but our God is eternal. Rejoice!
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