The Star Becomes Our Cross
A foggy day here in the hills of Westchester. Isn’t it similar to how we feel when our lives are experiencing storms—foggy? Nothing is clear, there are lots of questions and very few answers, and everything around us just keeps moving without regard for our trouble. Every time I’m in this situation, my prayers ask God to just move it away, or to help me overcome it.
But somehow, this is not the way our Father sees it.
He uses our struggles to strengthen us and bring us to new levels of victory in Him. When we choose to fight the fight “with” Jesus, we win! No matter what we think we’ve lost, or the wrong that penetrates our being, He works from the inside out to deliver us and bring about His peace and joy despite any situation.
Many people say this is a difficult time to be without because the holidays are all about lights, giving gifts, decorations, great food, seeing old friends, and sharing time with family. I’ve said it and experienced it myself—difficulties because of the loss of loved ones, financial woes, family drama, or being the recipient of spiteful and unkind deeds.
TODAY, I’m sending you this message to say that Christmas is the greatest opportunity to shed the weight of heaviness and emotional pain.
Christmas is a gift that the stores don’t sell, and it can’t be found online. It doesn’t start on Black Friday, and it’s a 365-day gift that keeps on giving. Christmas is available to all who will receive it—a gift without any barriers of race, culture, geographic location, or economic level. “Christmas Day” is an oxymoron that escapes all logical reasoning.
Every year around this time, people argue about the impossibility of the birth of Christ, its timing, or the truth of His Divinity. Nevertheless, Christ among us is the greatest miracle—the gift for all who believe and know He is the reason for the season. When our focus shifts from the external—attributes that society and the media give Christmas—to the real meaning of the peace, love, and joy within us that it brings, we can overcome any feelings of personal loss and survive any circumstance.
Recognize the gift. Accept the gift. Let’s keep the gift alive! Bring the lights and celebration inside where it’s dark. Give yourself a break and a pat on the back for all that you’ve managed with or without during this year, and give thanks for what you have left.
We can be the gift with a message of hope this holiday season by helping someone else shed the spirit of fear or desperation. Put the Lord of hope in full view!
Merry Christmas!
