Hold Tight to the Christmas Promise (and a prayer)

Regardless of our circumstances, when we hold tight to the Christmas Promise we can still experience peace and joy.

Regardless of our circumstances, when we hold tight to the Christmas Promise we can still experience peace and joy. Click To Tweet

Reflection

The immediate days after Christmas, and the holiday activities have waned. We sit contemplating the Day and its meaning—past, present, and future. Your memories may be pleasant or difficult. This year’s Christmas may have been filled with sorrow and loneliness or sported laughter and love. Next year may be more of the same or the complete opposite.

Christmas Promise

Each Yuletide is different, but we can be certain that our earthly Christmas experiences will hold both beauty and ugliness. However, year after year, true Christmas, the promise of Christmas, endures regardless of our circumstances. A glorious night two thousand years ago brought hope into a hopeless world with the entry of the holy infant: God incarnate. That hope remains with us today and will abide with us forever.

A glorious night two thousand years ago brought hope into a hopeless world with the entry of the holy infant: God incarnate. That hope remains with us today and will abide with us forever. Click To Tweet

This year, we have two empty chairs at our Christmas gathering. Mom and Dad will no longer join us for the Reuter Christmas. Typing the words hurts; I’ve cried many tears of loss and grief. Our Christmas celebration will never be the same.

But there have also been gifts and laughter. And we’re cherishing the memories while looking forward to the promised reunion.

The hard truth of this world is that we will all have to endure some difficult Christmases. But we have a Christmas Promise in the truth of Jesus’ birth. A promise that always brings hope. The Light of the World brightens even the darkest night. The promised Savior redeems all our hard Christmases.

The hard truth of this world is that we will all have to endure some difficult Christmases. But we have a Christmas Promise in the truth of Jesus' birth. A promise that always brings hope. Click To Tweet

Christmas holds a hope that no amount of sadness or loneliness can steal away, providing a measure of joy and peace until The Bright Morning Star guides us home.

Holding onto the Christmas Promise, may you experience a Merry Christmas and a joy-filled New Year amid whatever circumstances you find yourself in.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16

Christmas holds a hope that no amount of sadness or loneliness can steal away, providing a measure of joy and peace until The Bright Morning Star guides us home. Click To Tweet

Father God, I don’t always have pleasant feelings as I reflect on Christmases past, present, and future. Some have been difficult, with empty chairs and hard situations. And if I think too deeply about upcoming ones, I become concerned about how they may unfold. Lord, please reinstate in me the childlike wonder and trust I used to have, and remind me of the unending hope the Yuletide brings in the birth of the Savior. Remind me that nothing can erase Your promise of life eternal—a promise made certain through the blessed birth and death of Your beloved Son. A promise that brings joy and peace amid uncertain times, lonely holidays, hard losses, and frustrating situations. A promise that breaks through the darkest night. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.