Journeying Through AdventSample

Seek the Meaning

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” ~Hebrews 10:23

Christmas can be an emotional time. Children are excited to be out of school, and many adults are glad for time off work. It’s a time of family gatherings and celebration. Christians rejoice that Jesus has come, and it seems the whole world joins in with the giving and receiving of gifts. But what if Christmas doesn't come with the excitement, joy, and gifts. What if Christmas is a time you just want to get through?

You are not alone if you find yourself struggling with Christmas. The picture perfect advertisements paint a false reality of what Christmas is about. When those expectations aren’t fulfilled, Christmas can be difficult and disappointing.

Christmas is so much more than the family traditions and a day off school. Christmas is a time that we are reminded that God loved us so much that he sent his son to save us! In the hills of Bethlehem, a tiny baby was born. No fireworks, no bands. But surrounded in a simple stable filled with animals and hay, Jesus came, so that we have hope of eternal life.

It’s ok to hope for the traditional “things" of Christmas. But, It isn't about tradition, it isn't about the warm fuzzy feelings of being together with family. Christmas is God’s rescue mission from the false hopes of the world. True contentment comes when we look to God and the birth of Jesus. We grow in faith as we learn year by year that Jesus came for each one of us --- and for the world! Advent and Christmas can be a time to remind us that when we were without hope, God kept his promise and came to this world that Jesus might save us from the sin that so easily entangles us. Let God remind you this year that just because your expectations of what Christmas should be aren't met, that He fulfills promises that will far and away exceed any human expectation.

Prayer: Father, as we approach Christmas, help our expectations to not be stuck in the things that we think Christmas should be about but rather the truth that Jesus came for us so that we could be with you in eternity. Amen.

Written by Sarah Eddy (Wesley Seminary Master of Arts in Ministry student)

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