Christmas Upside-down
Senseless, untimely deaths.
Inexplicable illnesses.
Life-altering diagnoses.
Strained relationships.
Financial distress.
Loneliness and depression.
Weariness and fear.
All juxtaposed against the holiday that’s supposed to be happy.
Approaching Christmas in December seems to press on the tender, raw places in our lives. We’re more aware of our loved ones’ absences because we’re rightly accustomed to gathering with them to celebrate. The world around us seems to go merrily on its way while we bear our burdens. Somehow, facing such difficult circumstances during December seems more unjust.
We desire for Christmas and Advent to be joyful. We want to enjoy togetherness with friends and family. We anticipate sharing meals with loved ones. We look forward to reminiscing over happy moments gone by.
And all of that is good. When something hinders our hopes for mirthful Christmas celebration, it feels wrong somehow, doesn’t it?
But, in truth, nothing could be more fitting.
Hear me out.
It is the very tragedies of our lives that precipitated the coming of the Christ. Pain and joy are inextricably linked in Christmas. Jesus’s birth (and death) mark the end to the painful circumstances in our lives. While we certainly don’t experience the fullness of it on earth, it was His birth that set in motion redemption from the manifest curse.
In our fallen world, we are subject to death. He brings victory.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
In our brokenness we fail one another and Him. He forgives and restores.
1 John 1:9
We fear for our future. He provides for our needs.
Philippians 4:19
We walk through darkness. He is with us.
Matthew 28:20
We lack strength. He will never fail us.
Hebrews 13:5,6
We are weary and burdened. He brings rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
Instead of looking at our circumstances, caught up in sadness or anger at having to deal with them during Christmas, perhaps we might turn our perspective upside-down and recognize that our brokenness and pain are the very reason He came. They must send us running to Him, as they are what sent Him to us.
It is precisely because of our suffering that we have Christmas at all.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with wonder…
may you marvel at our Immanuel.
Fondly,
Kirsten
Right on, Kirsten. We’re shocked when tragedy strikes, but it’s what this world offers. We desperately need a Redeemer.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Susan
Right on, Kirsten. We’re shocked when tragedy strikes, but it’s what this world offers. We desperately need a Redeemer.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Susan
Desperately need a Redeemed, indeed. How grateful we are to have ours!
Right on, Kirsten. We’re shocked when tragedy strikes, but it’s what this world offers. We desperately need a Redeemer.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Susan
Desperately need a Redeemed, indeed. How grateful we are to have ours!
Beautiful words today, Kirsten. Thanks for sharing them. Have you heard the song
Love Came For Me by Shannon Wexelberg? Also beautiful words for us to hear this Christmas season. Wishing you and your lovely family a Merry Christmas and many blessings, especially to your mom my dear friend, in the New Year.
Grace and Peace,
Jan Boyers
Jan, I had not heard the song before but just listened… beautiful! Thanks for the recommendation. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for reading along!
Beautiful words today, Kirsten. Thanks for sharing them. Have you heard the song
Love Came For Me by Shannon Wexelberg? Also beautiful words for us to hear this Christmas season. Wishing you and your lovely family a Merry Christmas and many blessings, especially to your mom my dear friend, in the New Year.
Grace and Peace,
Jan Boyers
Beautiful words today, Kirsten. Thanks for sharing them. Have you heard the song
Love Came For Me by Shannon Wexelberg? Also beautiful words for us to hear this Christmas season. Wishing you and your lovely family a Merry Christmas and many blessings, especially to your mom my dear friend, in the New Year.
Grace and Peace,
Jan Boyers
Jan, I had not heard the song before but just listened… beautiful! Thanks for the recommendation. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for reading along!
Thank you for this writing. Amen and Amen! God bless you for following Jesus in this life and leading others to Him. Well done!
Thank you for this writing. Amen and Amen! God bless you for following Jesus in this life and leading others to Him. Well done!
Dotti, thank YOU for being here. We’re all on this journey together; I’m so glad to have companions like you on along the road.
Thank you for this writing. Amen and Amen! God bless you for following Jesus in this life and leading others to Him. Well done!
Dotti, thank YOU for being here. We’re all on this journey together; I’m so glad to have companions like you on along the road.
Kirsten,
This is one of the best Christmas pieces I’ve read and honestly, one of my favorites of yours ever. 😉 You’ve touched a sensitive nerve in each of us to refocus and remind us of the true purpose behind our celebration.
Thank you so much — Your writing is beautifully written and a fitting tribute to our Creator.
Excellent work sister,
Love, Hester
Kirsten,
This is one of the best Christmas pieces I’ve read and honestly, one of my favorites of yours ever. 😉 You’ve touched a sensitive nerve in each of us to refocus and remind us of the true purpose behind our celebration.
Thank you so much — Your writing is beautifully written and a fitting tribute to our Creator.
Excellent work sister,
Love, Hester
Thank you, Hester! I’m so glad it meant something to you. I only pray He finds it a fitting tribute as well.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate your words in this post, Kirsten. Such Truth. I appreciate the scripture references which support this upside-down way of looking at Merry Christmas. What a Friend we have in Jesus. Thank You as always.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate your words in this post, Kirsten. Such Truth. I appreciate the scripture references which support this upside-down way of looking at Merry Christmas. What a Friend we have in Jesus. Thank You as always.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate your words in this post, Kirsten. Such Truth. I appreciate the scripture references which support this upside-down way of looking at Merry Christmas. What a Friend we have in Jesus. Thank You as always.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate your words in this post, Kirsten. Such Truth. I appreciate the scripture references which support this upside-down way of looking at Merry Christmas. What a Friend we have in Jesus. Thank You as always.
Thank you! God had to turn my perspective upside down for me to see it… and then I just had to share. Blessings to you and yours.
Jan, I had not heard the song before but just listened… beautiful! Thanks for the recommendation. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for reading along!
Amen, and amen! The brokenness of our world points us to Jesus.
Amen, and amen! The brokenness of our world points us to Jesus.