for when Christmas is hard

[via]

I don't know about y'all, but sometimes Christmas is hard. There are so many wonderful things about this season. We are anticipating the birth of Christ and in the midst of celebrating the Savior who came to earth. His birth brought us freedom, joy, and life. And yet we get so caught up in that which does not satisfy or last beyond December 25. If you're like me at all, maybe you've found yourself struggling to see the good. You've allowed yourself to become distracted and a slave to the idol of busyness. Your eyes are fixed on your circumstances or those of friends and family around you-circumstances that seem like they'll never change or improve.

But God

came down as a humble babe
gives us grace upon grace
pardons our sin
calls us blameless
walks with us in the midst of our trials
carries us through the fire
sings over us
rejoices with us
never fails us.

While the whole world searches for what is good, we hold it in our hearts. While the world waits for the next best/big thing, we've got all we could ever want in Christ alone. Let's be joyful.

 -Jess Connolly

It seems as though each day I am bombarded with stories of sadness that make my heart heavy, whether from friends, family, students, or the news. And in the midst of this Advent season, instead of anticipating Christ, I can find myself sad and confused about why a good God allows bad things to happen. And so I ask Him to carry me and be in me what I cannot be. I tell Him about my fears and ask Him to carry me just one more day. Because I know that He came for me. And that truth is enough to restore my joy and give me hope.

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. - Luke 1:45

Our choice to believe is just that- a choice. We can choose to know and believe and cling to truth, or we can allow ourselves to be held down by lies and fears. His perfect love casts out fear, and His promises hold true. Mary did not submit to fear and doubt, but rather to the One who calls Himself faithful. She readied herself for the journey by getting on her knees. She acknowledged the power of He who is good. Let's walk after the example she gave us and choose to believe that He will do what He has said He will do.