Friday, Dec 20

Scripture: Luke 1:47 (NlV) – “How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

Message: Christmas can be stressful – especially if circumstances, and not God determine our emotions. How about physical discomforts – a cold, the flu, COVID, upset stomach, fatigue or pains and aches, or any other unwelcome ailments.

Or there could be stressful interpersonal relationships – maybe people saying hurtful things, or gossiping about you (including untruthful things).

What about financial issues? Extra expenses? Will you be traveling? Maybe you’ll experience delayed flights, car trouble, or other unpleasant situations (which can be really hard to handle if you are not feeling your best).

Then, once you arrive, unexpectedly you sense that you are not actually truly welcomed. People at your destination may “put up with you”, but you feel the awkwardness and unpleasant feelings. Perhaps this response may be related to your host’s health or lack of resources? Perhaps they are under stress by having so many people for whom they feel obligated to serve, or host. Perhaps there are others who draw on their time and resources too?

You are in good company if any of the above issues cause you to dread Christmas. These were likely experienced at the very first Christmas.

The Virgin Mary must have felt physically uncomfortable in her ninth month of pregnancy. Did she feel hurt, lonely, and left out – due to gossipy folks who wrongly assumed she was an immoral woman? They had the expense of travel, plus perhaps lost wages from time off work. The paths were bumpy, even dangerous, as she bounced along on the back of her donkey. Did they have unpleasant weather along the way? Did they feel unwelcome when they learned there was no pleasant comfortable lodging for them?

God's ways are certainly mysterious. The difficulties they endured at this First Christmas resulted in the greatest gift and blessing to mankind ever!

God may use your stressful situations at Christmas to culminate in blessings too. Did Joseph and Mary realize all that would happen in the future as the result of their experiences? Can we? Can we focus on God for our joy, in spite of so much stress?

Prayer: Lord give us Your supernatural peace, perspective and help during this season. Fill us with the love, joy and peace of Your Holy Spirit. Help us focus on You as our main focus and not the stressful circumstances. Amen.

Patty Morman