Did anyone else try really hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year only to just not make it there? I tried. I tried really hard. I LOVE me some Christmas. but there hasn't been anything getting me into Christmas this year. Christmas music is usually my jam, but I've barely been able to listen to it; I love decorating, but we barely did anything decor-wise (minus our tree, which Mom and I spent so much time arguing about getting one, I didn't care how it looked by the time we got it). We did plenty of Christmas baking, but instead of enjoying it, it felt tedious and nerve wracking; Christmas shopping was rushed, 2 days before Christmas (but I shopped with a friend, and spent over an hour in BAM so it was worth the wait).
Add to that a newly-diagnosed respiratory infection (my lungs HATE me), on top of a sore/achy body from ridiculous amounts of furniture moving (new house probs), and my insomnia keeping me up half the night; I've just physically been miserable and exhausted every day since I got home from school. Talk about a winter break. Thanks, immune system!
I'm thankful for the Christmas season and all it stands for, but this year, I'm just not feeling it. I just can't right now.
Thank goodness the darkness only lasts for the night. And thank goodness when Jesus was born in a manger all those many years ago, He was born to save wretches like me. Even in the midst of my mess, when I'm at my darkest or in the lowest of lows. Before He died for me, He lived for me. He was born for me.
Sammy Rhodes wrote this earlier today: "Unto us a child is born. The good news of the gospel is the “us” includes messes like us."
He came into a broken, exhausted world to bring us back to Himself; a world so far separated from their maker that He had to become flesh to reconcile us to the kingdom.
He didn't just come here as a grown man to fix everything, either; he started out his life as a helpless babe in a manger, and lived wholly as we do, being tried and tested along the way.
And when He came, everything changed.
His name will be the hope of the world. ~Matthew 12:21
His name will be the hope of the world. ~Matthew 12:21
Finally, there's hope.
My world, my heart, is so weary--finally, something to relieve the weariness and stress. I need this hope right now. I want to not be weary for just a minute. I need something to rejoice about.
And now, He's here. No more searching or striving or doing to be 'right' with God; I can rejoice in the fact that Jesus is here, He is born, and He is alive-- and is the living hope I need to get me through. Because He was born, because He lives, so can I- and I can live fully.
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| picture courtesy of @madewonderfully's instagram |
Jonathan Merritt wrote this today:
"Christmas reminds us that miracles often happen on the dark nights when we have little more than a twinkle star to hold onto."
On this dark night, in a manger, with no room in the Inn; born to two bewildered parents who did NOT expect this wrench in their life plans; and yet, in spite of the circumstances, a miracle happened in that manger: a hope for the future, a hope for the whole world, was born. A living hope.
Despite the darkness, hope is alive. Finally, there's something worth rejoicing about. Finally, my weary heart can rejoice:
Hope is here! hope is alive! Jesus is born, and He is here to do amazing, beautiful things!
He's the hope the weary world needs. He's the hope my weary self needs.
And He is, finally, here, in the flesh, to live out what love and hope really look like.
Even in the midst of my darkness, that is worth rejoicing.
Thank the Lord for hope. For Jesus, our living, breathing, hope, born into the world to fix the brokenness and bring light to our darkness.
Hope is Alive by Ellie Holcomb
(typically I'd post a video with the song, but I sadly couldn't find one! Check it out on itunes, it's a beautiful song!)
After the silence of waiting so long
We hear a baby’s first cry
And into our midnight
A heavenly song
Whispers that hope is alive
Oh joy to the world on this holy night
CHORUS
So sing with the angels that fill up the sky
Heaven broke through and now hope is alive
He is right here among us
Our god is with us tonight
And hope is alive
--
In an old stable beneath the bright stars
A young mother is holding her son
Oh the beauty of feeling the beat of God’s heart
That tells us that we are not alone
Oh, our Emanuel has come
--
So sing with the angels that fill up the sky
Heaven broke through and now hope is alive
He is right here among us
Our god is with us tonight
And hope is alive
--
Into our aching , into our breaking
Into our longing to be made whole
Your arms are reaching, Your love is holding us close
Into our suffering , into our weeping
Into this need we have to be known
Your arms are reaching, Your love is holding us close
--
So sing with the angels that fill up the sky
Heaven broke through and now hope is alive
He is right here among us
Our god is with us tonight
And hope is alive
--
So sing with the Angels that filled up the sky
Those in the shadows have seen a great light
He is right here among us
Our god is with us tonight
And hope is alive
Hope is alive on this Christmas-- and the weary world rejoices! Alleluia!
Merry Christmas! :)
Merry Christmas! :)
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