A Crowded Christmas

Saturday December 23, 2017

Two days before Christmas and it seems like it's crowded and busy everywhere.  Traffic on the roads is clogged.  Airports are full of people.  Long lineups of people wait to have their purchases scanned and pay for them.  People, people everywhere!

Jesus was born into a busy crowded world.  His parents, along with thousands of others had to leave their hometown and travel several days on foot to get to the crowded city of Bethlehem so the census ordered by the Roman government could be taken.  Mary was nine months pregnant.  When she and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, all the available rooms in the inns were full.  The only place that Mary and Joseph could find to rest in was in a cave which housed animals.  In that cave with smelly animals all around, Jesus was born. 

When the world around us is busy, it's easy to feel forgotten and uncared for.  The needs we have go unseen and unmet by others.  We are left alone to sort out challenges that are made harder by the many events of the holiday season.  Life for us is unmanageable and we are faced with our own powerlessness. 



Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.  (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT)

Whatever we are feeling during these busy times before Christmas Day, God invites us to stop and take a break and be filled with His peace and presence.  The birth of Jesus Christ tells us clearly that God sees us, cares about us, and if invited, will come close to us.  Jesus became a human being and entered into our experiences and our pain.  He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  God is with us.

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”  Says your God.  (Psalm 40:1 NKJV)


Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us not to be caught up in the mad rush of these pre-Christmas days but to take this day, one moment at a time, and give thanks for your love and grace in sending Jesus into the world.  Amen


©2017 Partners in Hope  
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

Audio for A Crowded Christmas

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