The world news seem to be getting more horrific all the time. Kidnappings, massacres, wars, murders, accidents. It all feels terrible, especially in the season of love and peace. How can we be merry? How can we rejoice when the world is full of tears and heart-break?

But do we then forget what is the reason of the season?
Do we forget why Jesus came into the world?

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
(Isaiah 61:1-3, CEB)

Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and comfort all who mourn.  Jesus came to save us from our sins, from death and dying. Jesus came that our tears would dry and our hearts would rejoice in the Lord. Jesus came so we could have life and more life.

Jesus is Immanuel in Hebrew which means “God is with us”.
And this is exactly why we rejoice in the midst of sufferings.
This is exactly why we wish each other Merry Christmas also this year.

Because our savior has been born!
Because of Jesus we have hope everlasting!
Because Jesus changed everything.

Without him we are lost.
Without him we perish.
Without him we don’t have hope.

But in Jesus we have hope, we have peace, we have life everlasting!

The darker the world gets, the brighter the star of Bethlehem will shine. It announces that our savior is born! And that gives us hope even when nothing makes sense. This is not the end. Better things ahead. Thank you, God!

 

Gracious God,
We bring our devastated hearts to you.
We can’t make it on our ow
Heal us, heal the families affected by the tragedy.
Pour out hope, faith, and love!
Enable us to rejoice.
Thank you for sending Jesus into the world!
Thank you for saving us from the darkness!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Who is your strength in the midst of hardships?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you be merry and rejoice in the Lord in the midst of hardships!

Image courtesy of Amanda Petty,  design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. This post is refurbished from 2012. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God.