Friday, December 22, 2023
“Better Days Ahead”
My goodness! The first twenty-six days leading to Christmas are already gone! I meant to catch this yesterday when it was the 25 days of Christmas Past but my heart and mind were wandering elsewhere. Now, I’ve landed on 26 Already Gone, which doesn’t sound nearly as clever the former image.
The blistering speed of the Holiday Season is worthy to note. That old adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun” is a real thing, isn’t it? Yet as soon as that thought hits the page in front of me, I can’t help but think about lots of people who aren’t experiencing any kind of fun this Holiday Season.
For some people, it’s a time of anxiety and chaos due to any number of issues related to work, family, and life in general. Then, there are others who are struggling greatly because this is the first Holiday Season they’re experiencing without the presence of a special loved one. Then, of course, there are those whose Holiday Season only brings them painful memories of unhappy days past. And yes, the list continues on with all kinds of real world problems (war, hunger, disease, etc.) that will try to keep a tight lid on Christmas Joy this year.
I’m guessing that nearly everyone has experienced a little pain this Holiday Season, but I’m praying that everyone has at least a few cherished thoughts of the Holidays, too. The anticipation of Christmas, namely, the entrance of our LORD into the world, is supposed to point us to Better Days Ahead. But that can easily seem to be a bit far-fetched, because my interpretation of “Better Days Ahead” does not included the real world problems in front of me every day.
Choosing to be Joyful can be really, really difficult, especially this time of year. It’s likely that if we are not among those who are experiencing suffering, we know someone who currently is facing really difficult struggles and the Holidays aren’t helping them at all.
Though only three days remain until Christmas, there still is plenty of time to consider those who are struggling this time of year and take a few moments to care for these loved ones. Call ‘em. Give ‘em a text. Find a way to connect, even if it’s dropping a Happy New Year card in the mail (we’re too late for Christmas mail). Show them that Better Days Ahead is a real thing and it’s what God wishes for everyone.
Christ’s very name – Emmanuel – means “God with Us”. We are part of God’s work at Christmas when we remember others and bring God’s love – Emmanuel – to the hurting folk around us. We are not alone; They are not alone. Hope has come to all and Joy lies ahead because of Christmas.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NET)