I love Christmas. Everything about it. The lights. The decorations. The carols. The gifts. The cold weather. And, of course, God’s greatest gift—the birth of His son, the redeemer ( though it is extremely doubtful that he was born in December, and on the night of Jesus’s birth the only lights were the stars in the sky and the only carolers the angels).
But I have come to see that my enjoyment of the season is largely in part because I have an intact family to enjoy it with. I have a warm home and enough to eat. Not everyone has these. And in recent weeks I have become increasingly more aware of the brokenness and loss in the world.
Broken families
Broken hearts
Loss of homes
Loss of finances
Loss of health
Prodigal children
Ambivalent parents
At a time of year when many families are coming together in the warmth of a home, are watching classic Christmas movies, sharing meals and opening gifts, many others are in the cold —physically, emotionally, spiritually.
And then I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 4:18 when he quoted Isaiah 61:1-3.
Jesus came to this earth to . . .
—heal the brokenhearted
—proclaim liberty to the captive
—open the prison to those who are bound
—comfort all who mourn
—give them beauty for ashes
— and the oil of joy for mourning
Yes, we know that the ultimate healing and liberty and comfort comes through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and we were all at one time held prisoners to sin and living a life leading to death, BUT . . .
There are still people out there today either spiritually, physically, or emotionally brokenhearted, mourning loss, or a prisoner to something.
Some are our friends and some are those who—like the shepherds—live on the fringes of our society.
Let us remember them this Christmas season, in our prayers definitely, but also in some very tangible way. A phone call, a card, an invitation, a needed gift, a warm blanket, a pair of gloves, a meal gift card, a smile, or a hug. And as we share these gifts may we also share the greatest gift of all —HOPE—through Jesus.
Let’s show the love of Christ this Christmas to those who need it most in a very real way.
But I have come to see that my enjoyment of the season is largely in part because I have an intact family to enjoy it with. I have a warm home and enough to eat. Not everyone has these. And in recent weeks I have become increasingly more aware of the brokenness and loss in the world.
Broken families
Broken hearts
Loss of homes
Loss of finances
Loss of health
Prodigal children
Ambivalent parents
At a time of year when many families are coming together in the warmth of a home, are watching classic Christmas movies, sharing meals and opening gifts, many others are in the cold —physically, emotionally, spiritually.
And then I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 4:18 when he quoted Isaiah 61:1-3.
Jesus came to this earth to . . .
—heal the brokenhearted
—proclaim liberty to the captive
—open the prison to those who are bound
—comfort all who mourn
—give them beauty for ashes
— and the oil of joy for mourning
Yes, we know that the ultimate healing and liberty and comfort comes through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and we were all at one time held prisoners to sin and living a life leading to death, BUT . . .
There are still people out there today either spiritually, physically, or emotionally brokenhearted, mourning loss, or a prisoner to something.
Some are our friends and some are those who—like the shepherds—live on the fringes of our society.
Let us remember them this Christmas season, in our prayers definitely, but also in some very tangible way. A phone call, a card, an invitation, a needed gift, a warm blanket, a pair of gloves, a meal gift card, a smile, or a hug. And as we share these gifts may we also share the greatest gift of all —HOPE—through Jesus.
Let’s show the love of Christ this Christmas to those who need it most in a very real way.
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