Into the Fire

Christmas is in reality a celebration of great joy. Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. However, there are those who don't believe this, don't want to believe this, would rather participate in the Santa season with all those make-believe trappings instead. One thing about Santa is he isn't with them year round even if he knows whether they've been naughty or nice.

Others have lost loved ones during the Christmas season and for them it's hard to focus on anything else – the sadness overwhelming them. 

Others associate it with parties and gatherings and gift exchanges while experiencing some stress about what to fix, wear, or buy for the events.

Many regret how much they spent or wish they could've spent more. 

Estranged families don't break the barriers to share the season, and their differences dominate their lives. 

There is all kind of pain in this world, and suffering is not absent during this season of joy, redemption, and the beauty of grace and forgiveness. If the pain is yielded to the child who grew to be our Savior, there will come a hope in Him for all of the hurts to be reduced, to be healed, and to find a way to work through them with Him. Yes, it's miraculous. Supernatural. But oh so real. 

This Christmas season I urge anyone who suffers that deep pain as Christmas arrives to consider the One who came into the world for them, to save them, to love them, to make everlasting peace for them between them and their Creator. Not easily understood – those things of God – but accessible to anyone who's broken, lonely, sad, or wounded by the weapons of life. 

Wishing all of them and all of you to indulge the Christmas season and experience the fullness of Jesus. You won't regret it. 

Father, please minister your hope to those who need it most. In the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.