It Looks Different This Year

Surprisingly Christmas is one of my least favorite times of year. the reason for this is that it doesn't feel right anymore. I don’t want to be reminded of who is not with me during the holidays nor do I feel like being happy, cheerful, and excited when all I want to do is hide in a corner and cry. Death is tough and although it gets better with time going back to the place that I wore all black to on two of the saddest days of my life definitely doesn't help. My grandparents are both buried at this old church we go to on Christmas Eve every year. We sing the same carols and listen to just about the same message from the pastor, but for me the whole point of going is so that way I can see the people who I haven’t seen since last year but have told me how much they had missed me since the last time they saw me. Now I know I’m being really negative but I know for a lot of people, including myself, the holidays can be negative for them too. Things just aren’t the same.

That being said, just because things are different doesn’t mean that God is any different. He is still the same loving father who is near to the broken-hearted (Psalms 38:14) and tells us that we are forgiven and wanted by Him (Romans 5:8). Yes, COVID is still a thing, the world is still a broken place, and you might not all be together for Christmas, but remember that these things are of the world and no longer have a hold over you. Grief, anger, or sadness are replaced by love, comfort, and peace in the arms of the father. He is there to be the father you lost two Christmas’s ago, or the replacement for the family member you just don’t get along with, and most importantly the God who sent His only Son for you this Christmas season. He didn’t have to forgive us nor did He have to make a special place for those loved ones who’ve gone on, instead He decided to save a place for you in His holy dwelling place. I don’t know about you but I’ve never had someone love me like that. 

The whole point of this post is not to get you down during the holiday season but to tell you that Christmas only lasts for about a month, Jesus lasts forever. There is nothing you can do to drive Him away and no matter how sad or angry you are that things didn’t go the way you wanted them to trust that His plan is by far better than anything you could ever imagine. He has great things in store for you, so while things are dim remember that things were bleak for Mary and Joseph but one little baby changed everything.

May the peace and love of God be with you always and Merry Christmas,

Leah Carpenter