Christmas Blues

Christmas can be a lonely time for some of us. We see others gathering and enjoying festivities that we, for many reasons, cannot be a part of. 

Regardless of our current circumstances, we can find joy to celebrate the most amazing birth the world has ever known when, through prayer and meditation, we have conscious contact with the God who loves and cares for us.  The Bible encourages us with these words:

Let me tell you how happy God has made me! For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness.

Isaiah 61:10a

Before a very pregnant Mary gave birth, she and Joseph had to leave Nazareth where they were living and make a long and inconvenient journey to their former hometown of Bethlehem because a census was ordered by their Roman rulers.

When they got there, Mary – in labour and having bounced along on a donkey for days and Joseph exhausted from the journey, they had to take the only shelter available to them – a place among the animals.  As we know, it was there that Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid Him in a manger.  I wonder how lonely or abandoned they felt at such a vulnerable time.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7

Did God know Jesus would be born in an animal shelter without any earthly family or friends to support the new parents?  You bet he did.

Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never.

Isaiah 49:15

Maybe Mary and Joseph’s relatives weren’t nearby but God sent angels to visit nearby shepherds to proclaim Jesus’ birth and they then came and visited Mary and Joseph and the new baby. They were no longer alone.

Loving God, We’re so grateful that nothing takes you by surprise.  When we  feel lonely or sad, remind us to be thankful that we are never forgotten by You.  You are good to your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us.

When we feel sidelined and alone we pray to remember that Jesus has come to be “God With Us” and that is true every moment of every day.

Help us to celebrate Jesus’ birth and to know the power of His love to comfort, strengthen, and encourage us throughout this season and the upcoming year. Amen

God is with us.  Let’s look around at various times today and just notice how He’s accompanying us and caring for us.