Christmas may not always look like the perfect day we imagine in our minds, but … we can have hope and joy in the midst of crazy.
In Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-28 the birth of Jesus is foretold. Mary, a virgin, is told that she will give birth to a son – the one the world has been waiting for, Emmanuel. Joseph, upon hearing that his soon-to-be bride will give birth, finds himself in a weird situation. Trying to do what would not shame Mary in society, he intended to divorce her quietly.
A less-than-ideal situation, that’s what Mary and Joseph find themselves in at this moment. Have you ever felt that? One of the biggest hurdles I have to face every year at Christmas time is the expectation that everything is perfect – that family is getting along, the presents are perfectly wrapped, and everyone’s smiling. However, the first Christmas puts that all to shame because on the first Christmas we find Mary and Joseph in a dusty shack with animals, welcoming the Savior into the world.
Christmas may not always look like the perfect day we imagine in our minds, but because of what happened in the dusty shack where Jesus was born, we can have hope and joy in the midst of crazy. Take the example of Mary and Joseph – God asks big things of them that will change their lives and they respond to them full of faith instead of fear.
– Pray Psalm 23 each morning before your feet hit the ground.
– Ask God to give you joy in the midst of this holiday season.
– Remember and cling to Mary’s response, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
