The Pain of That First Christmas

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son”
 (Matthew 2:6, 7).

Those few verses incorporate so much more than Christ’s physical birth.  They are impacted by events beforehand and afterwards, and they include pain.  Have you ever considered that everyone involved in that first Christmas experienced some kind of pain?

Mary experienced the pain of separation from family and endured months of ostracism and gossip beforehand.  She then faced the exhaustion of travel and painful childbirth in very uncomfortable surroundings.  Afterwards, she faced the physical trial of escaping with a newborn to new surroundings.

Joseph had to deal with the painful doubts and perplexing truths concerning Mary’s pregnancy.  He faced the humiliation of being unable to suitably provide for his wife and the danger of getting them safely to Egypt.

The shepherds lived lonely lives spent out in the elements, and they had no social or financial standing.  They were looked down on with as much contempt as tax collectors.  They knew pain - physical and emotional – on a daily basis.

The wise men traveled for months to see Jesus and then return home – a physically exhausting and dangerous trip.

And what about God the Father and His Son?  Both had known this day was coming, and yet how hard it must have been for Jesus to leave the glory of heaven and endure the separation of 33 years culminating in excruciating death on the cross.  And how difficult for the Father to send His Son into such poverty, suffering, and shame.

Yes, that first Christmas was full of pain. Whatever we are struggling with – being limited financially in what we can give, being unable to decorate, socialize, or eat foods we would like, being separated from those we love, or suffering great physical pain – God understands them all, because pain surrounded that first Christmas. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you understand the pain I am facing this Christmas.  I want to rejoice in this season even if I am unable to enjoy all the pleasures that come with it, knowing that our eternal celebrations will more than compensate for my pain now. Amen.

 

Christmas Peace and Joy

“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).

As I prepare for Christmas, at times I am filled with conflicting emotions. I praise God for the celebration of Christ’s birth and for loved ones with whom to share it. Yet my heart is also heavy for those who suffer. Life is full of struggles - grief over the loss of loved ones, hurt from broken relationships, loneliness due to separation from family, and discouragement with physical limitations during the season’s activities.

There have been moments when I have wondered how I can possibly be joyful and peaceful when this world is so full of pain, yet I also realized that if the world were not hurting, there would be no need for a Savior. I reflected on that first Christmas. That time was far from peaceful and pleasant. Roman rule was oppressive and life was a struggle to endure. Mary and Joseph faced ostracism, pain, homelessness, and separation from family. Those who anticipated the birth of the Messiah were expecting to see a conquering king, which was not the case.

Yet we on the other side of the cross know the significance of that first Advent, and because of it, we anticipate the second one. With the second coming, all pain, suffering, and disappointment will end. We will truly be able to rejoice without sorrow, and perhaps my joy this year will be more in anticipation of Christ’s future coming than in His past one. Whatever we are facing this Christmas, may we remember the victory and eternal life that Christ’s birth and subsequent death and resurrection bring. May that knowledge bring us peace, and may we rejoice. “I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth so that I may one day live with You in heaven. May I truly rejoice in and celebrate Your birth this Christmas season, even as I long for Your return. Amen.

 

One Celebration that Pain Will Not Cause Me to Miss

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
(Revelation 19:9).

Traditionally holidays are a social time of sharing food and fellowship with family or friends.  But those of us with health problems know that holidays can be discouraging and lonely times.

We may not be able to visit family or have the ability to entertain them ourselves.  We may be in too much discomfort to go to social events that we would enjoy.  We may not be able to eat certain holiday foods because of allergies or digestive issues.  We may not have the ability or resources to buy gifts. We may not even be able to attend a church service.  Even though we rejoice in Christ’s birth and know that it’s not about all the traditions of the season, we can feel self-pity and isolation.

Last December my husband I visited Longwood Gardens. My favorite display was a huge and beautifully decorated banquet table.  It reminded me of that wonderful day when Scripture is fulfilled and all believers will join together in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  How I look forward to that day!

Christmas is not just about Christ’s birth – although that is certainly something to celebrate.  But because He came, lived, died, and rose, conquering sin and death, I have that wonderful banquet to look forward to.  No pain or problems will keep me from it, and all fellow believers I love or who I have lost will be there, along with countless other believers through the ages.

No earthly holiday celebration can equal the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, or the eternal joys that will follow.  So this Christmas, if there are things I must give up because of my pain, yes, I will be disappointed.  Yes, I may grieve and feel loss.  But then I hope I will move forward and focus on the true meaning of Christmas, rejoicing in what is to come because of it.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, whatever I may have to give up this holiday season, keep me focused on the full significance of Your coming to earth.  Let those truths replace all worldly expectations, and fill me with joyful hope and expectation.  Amen.

Where Is Our Focus This Advent Season?

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”
 (Titus 2:11-13).

The word “advent” means the coming or arrival of something important.  During December, advent refers to the time of preparing and waiting for Christ’s birth.

It may be easy for us as Christians to look at the world and see how this waiting time has become secularized.  We see signs of ungodliness and worldliness everywhere, tempting people to emphasize materialism, overindulge in food and drink, and stay focused on pleasure and entertainment rather than on the birth of Jesus. 

Because health problems can limit our involvement in even the good activities, we may have more time than most to stay centered on the holiday’s true meaning.  We may even feel we are doing fairly well in the “abstaining from ungodliness and worldliness” category.

But our limitations can tempt us to different ungodly passions, such as negativity, self-pity, discontent, and lack of faith and trust in God.  These attitudes are just as harmful as the world’s secularism.  We can become distracted from the true meaning of Christmas by being consumed with our problems.

As we go through the remaining advent season, let’s remember that Christ’s birth encompasses more than the salvation of our souls.  It also saves us from the daily despair, fear, and countless other harmful attitudes and emotions that chronic health problems bring.  As we say “No” to these temptations, we can wait with hope not only for this Christmas Day, but also for that blessed day when Christ returns again and all waiting and pain will be over.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, during this season of preparing and waiting for Christmas, help me to say no to any thoughts or attitudes that are not based on Scripture and Your power in my life.  Fill me with godly hope and joy that rise about my earthly problems, as I celebrate Your first coming and anticipate Your second one.  Amen.

 

How to Sweeten Our Holidays Without Harming Our Health

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”
(James 3:10,11 NKJV)

I have always had a sweet tooth and used to eat quite a bit of sugar.  It took almost 10 years of  trying various medicines and seeing many specialists before I finally discovered that sugar was a major contributor to my constant headaches. Avoiding sugar has been challenging, and it is an ongoing struggle to limit it. I try, but the holidays are particularly challenging.  All of the seasonal cookies, cakes, and candies look and taste so good, and I do make exceptions at this time of year and just deal with the headaches.

My Bible study group is currently studying the book of James.  As I was reading the above passage, I thought about the words that come out of my mouth, especially concerning my health problems.  Although I may not be cursing God or man, it is still very easy to complain or be negative in my conversations with others.

During the holidays I may spend more time communicating with people, and it’s natural for them to ask how I am doing.  I don’t need to downplay my problems, but they can be shared in a way that is sweet rather than bitter.  As I share my struggles, I can also share specific victories God has given me over them and the strength He gives me through them.  I can give praise to God for all the problems I don’t have, and rather than dwelling on my own issues, I can encourage and edify others.

As I monitor how many sweets go into my mouth this holiday season, I hope I will be just as careful as to what comes out of it – words that are filled with the sweetness of God’s goodness and mercy in my life.  And a bite or two of Christmas treats will be the perfect reminder.

Prayer: Heavenly Father,  as I celebrate this Christmas season, help me be a positive influence to those around me through my speech.  Let my words be an overflow of a heart that praises You (Matthew 12:34).

 

 

Singing to God Through Our Pain This Holiday Season

“Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

A big part of the holidays is music, and it is one time of year that Christ-centered music is played in the secular world.

This verse in Colossians connects singing to God with thankfulness. This attitude can be hard to maintain when dealing with pain and problems, but oh how we need it, especially during the holiday season.

It is hard to be thankful when we are frustrated over the things we can’t do during the holidays or concerned about how we will get through those that we must do, all the while trying to maintain a properly joyful Christmas attitude!  Being thankful can be challenging if we focus on other holidays when we were in better health or our circumstances were different.

Singing songs of worship has carried me through some of my most painful times and has changed my attitude on difficult days.  Praise takes our focus off of our pain and reminds us of the loving and powerful God we serve and all the blessings that knowing Him brings, both now and forever. 

As we hear the well-loved Christmas songs of the season this year, let us not simply sing the words from rote memory.  Let us hear the words as they apply to our current lives.  We can sing with peace in our hearts no matter what we are facing because the Prince of Peace is here with us. We can sing with thanksgiving and joy because of the wonderful truth that since Jesus came down to us on earth, we will one day go to be with Him in heaven. And we can keep on singing when the holidays are over in anticipation of that glorious pain-free day when the object of our faith finally becomes sight.

Prayer:  O God, help us give back this gift of music to You in praise this Christmas season and beyond.  And let the hope of the words we sing fill us with peace and joy even in our suffering.  Amen.

 

The Lord Has Dealt Bountifully with Me

“You brought us to a place of abundance”
(Psalm 66:12).

As Thanksgiving approaches, I like to focus more than usual on thankfulness, but this can be an effort when life is full of pain and problems.

This year has been a difficult one for me.  My father died, my daughter donated a kidney, I experienced setbacks with my back problems, and my future son-in-law is dealing with brain cancer.  None of these things have been easy, but I see blessings in them.  My dad is free from pain and died quickly.  My daughter’s kidney donation was a total success, and she saved a life.   God showed His faithfulness through another round of back pain.  Brain cancer is causing my daughter and her fiancé to grow tremendously in their walks with God. Despite the exhaustion and pain I have felt through these and other situations, God has been incredibly faithful and given me the strength to keep going.

I don’t believe God expects me to downplay my sufferings.  He knows and understands my daily physical, mental, and emotional trials.  But I do believe He wants me to see the good as well.  My times are in God’s hands, and everything He brings into my life has the potential for my ultimate good and blessing, whether here or in eternity.

There have been and will be times when I don’t feel thankful.  In those moments, praise God I can rely on the truth that He knows my frame and remembers I am dust (Psalm 103: 14). He understands my human frailties and loves and accepts me even in my failures.  But as I seek the good in any and every circumstance, the constant goodness and bountifulness of God shine more clearly.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I must confess I am not always as thankful as I should be.  Despite life’s pain and problems, help me to see all the blessings You give me, not only during this Thanksgiving season but throughout the year.  Amen.