Cheer and hope is in the air this season, as we all flit around giving gifts and taking in the Christmas lights and sights. But on that cool night in the Bethlehem inn, there was hardship, discouragement, and I’d bet there were even moments of despair. Mary had been given a joyous task, but I am certain it was a chore to take the journey away from home, quite pregnant, to give birth to the Holy Child, Jesus. And Joseph had his moments of discouragement and despair, I am sure. His beautiful betrothed was with child…and before he had the vision to let him in on the what was happening, I can only guess that he was losing hope, having planned to ‘to divorce her secretly’, Matthew 1:19, HCSB…if my wedding had been called off, after all the excitement of planning and preparation, I’m sure I would have been feeling lots of despair. Even the time in history God chose to paint the landscape of the Nativity Story was a dark one. The governmental powers and challenges were tense, the rebuilding of the temple was slow and not nearly as grand as the previous one, and there had been no revelations from God for hundreds of years. [source: my knowledgeable former-pastor husband]
The events leading up to the birth of Christ were despairing in many senses. And yet, isn’t this often how God chooses to work? I know in my own life, numerous times, God has chosen dark times to break forth with the grandest displays of joy and hope. My mid-twenties proved to be quite discouraging, but this was followed by a season of such joy, meaning, and encouragement. You’ve heard the saying, ‘the night is always the darkest just before the dawn…” Joy and Hope shine brightest after the darkness of despair.
But what does this have to do with you, this Christmas? I believe it not only relates to what was happening on that quiet, holy night in Bethlehem, but it is what happens in each one of our souls on a regular basis. We are all going through personal and public struggles, fighting against our sin nature, the world, and the devil. We are striving to put aside our sin and despair, to CHOOSE the hope, peace and joy that are ours in Christ. This Christmas, may I encourage you to keep fighting that fight? Whatever your struggle may be, there is always hope in Christ. Christ came on the scene during a dark time….and I urge you, He wants to come on the scene for you personally this Christmas…to be born anew in your heart, to be the hero for you, for your situation, for this lost and dying world. That is the joy and hope of Christmas, my friend. And it is ours for the taking.
Hope is a candle
A light in the window
Showing the way for
A heart to come home
Hope is a Savior
Who was born in the manger
Sent down from Heaven
To rescue our hearts
Our Christmas hope
–The Christmas Hope, NewSong
Merry Christmas to You and to All You Hold Dear! Ruth