'Tis the Season

Tis the season to be,

Jolly.

Stressed.

Hopeful.

Tired.

I’m not sure where you find yourselves this Christmas season. Perhaps you’re enjoying all the gingerbread, hot chocolate, and twinkly lights. Maybe you’re stressed and overwhelmed with the many to do’s. Or possibly you’re bored, lonely and disappointed that another celebration is passing by without the typical joy and traditions it brings.
This has been quite the year, but like our good and gracious God, seasons don’t cease to exist because of a pandemic. The Christmas season, the celebration of Christs birth, will come and go, as guaranteed as the rising and setting sun. We are invited into advent and a remembering and celebration of Christ’s birth regardless of what is going on around us.

There may not be gifts, or feasts or even gatherings with our loved ones, but we can choose to enter in with what little we have to offer.

This Christmas season I’ve found myself focused in on two specific people and a few short verses that have never struck my heart quite as deeply as this year, when reading the telling of Jesus’ birth.

As in years past, I’ve thought a lot about Mary. How can you not imagine what it’s like to be a 14 year old girl carrying the Messiah, the son of God? It’s breathtaking and honestly unimaginable at times. But the scripture that has captured me this year is that in Luke 2. After the shepherds visited baby Jesus, born in the manger, they went out and told all the people what they had seen, and been told by the angel and how it was all true. Luke 2:19 says Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart. I imagine she had to do that. She had to ponder them daily, to keep herself from doubting if it was all true. To keep the lies from infiltrating her heart and making her question everything. She had to actively store the prophecies and confirmations from others, and then repeatedly go over them in her mind. Could this be one of the keys to a faith that endures hardship and doubt? 

The next set of scriptures that has got ahold of me is about Simeon, the man God promised would see the Messiah before he died. This man now well along in his years, had waited and waited, believing what God had told him. On the day Jesus was brought to the temple Luke 2:27 says Simeon was moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. He didn’t just happen to be in the right place at the right time when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus, God had to orchestrate it. Simeon was moved there, led there, in tune to the Spirit. He believed the promise made to him and he stayed connected to the Spirit, ready and waiting. Another key component to a faith that endures, that waits, that trusts, being with the Spirit.

Likely this Christmas season has not looked at all like you thought. Perhaps it’s been simpler. Quieter. There have been missed traditions. Great disappointments. Fewer parties, little or no connection to friends, less time with loved ones. But here we are anyway.

Tis the season.

To remind ourselves of the promises of God. To store up these promises in our hearts and ponder them often. To be led by the Spirit. To strengthen our faith. God is at work amongst us. He has a plan and a purpose for your life, your family, your ministry, your workplace. He is evident in this season and many more will be open to receiving Him in the midst of hardship.  

If you’ll indulge me I’m going to pray over you the prayer I’ve been praying over my life. Father remind us of your many promises. When we open your word show us your heart and your truth. Help us to declare your promises over our lives. May we be so very in tune to Holy Spirit within us. May we be ready and waiting to do what you’ve called us to do, to see the promises of your word come down to earth reaching all people, in Jesus name, amen.