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Thoughts for the Season

by Jerry Ousley  
12/19/2008 / Holidays

It will soon be Christmas Eve. We have plans. Our son and his wife will be making their way from Cleveland, Ohio coming home. We are planning a Christmas Eve of celebration that includes presents and delicious snacks. Then, Christmas morning we will wake up to more presents and a wonderful breakfast prepared by Debbie.

Yes, we have plans just like most of you. But we really don't know what this Christmas holds for us. It could hold tragedy, death, or any number of disappointments that could spell dread as we approach the season. For many, Christmas holds bad memories. They don't like Christmas because of hurt in their lives. Those things happen.

What do we do when all that is special about this time of year is shattered by tragedy? Why would God be so cruel as to "mess up" His Son's birth celebration with something like this? I don't know if any man on earth can really answer that question. God has His reasons. But let's also remember that it isn't always God's "fault." We tend to blame everything on Him because He is Divine. But sometimes we break the rules and sometimes we're just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Regardless how we view Christmas there is one thing that always remains true: The Christ we celebrate at Christmastime not only brings joy but also brings comfort in times of grief. Whether we are experiencing the best Christmas we've ever had or the absolute worst, He still forgives by His grace and He still extends His mercy. He is the Christ of Christmas. Just like every other day of the year He is with us. He is just as powerful during the bad times as He is wonderful during the good times.

I sincerely hope that this is the best Christmas you have ever had but if it isn't Christ is still with us. Part of the Christmas story is found in the first chapter of Matthew's Gospel and quotes Isaiah 7:14 saying that His name will be called "Immanuel" which means "God with us." God became a man so that He would experience the same joys, peace, trials, and grief that we do. He is still with us by way of the Holy Spirit Who was sent into the world after Jesus ascended to Heaven.

Whether Christmas is a happy time or a sad time for you, Christ is with us. That is all the more reason to celebrate even when we don't feel like celebrating. He is always with us even when we don't want Him. He is there, silently watching us, seeking us, and longing for us to find Him.

I hope this is a very special Christmas for you and your family. May the Babe in the Manger be the Savior of your heart today, tomorrow and always.

Merry Christmas!

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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