A Word of Encouragement
Usually, we hear the news of the birth of a new baby and are happy – it’s pretty special news to hear! But lately, I’ve been reflecting on how many emotions there are in the Christmas story. For example, there’s Mary who was troubled and bewildered when first told the news, but then rather courageously trusted herself to God and his plan. There’s Joseph who despite his natural doubts of the situation was protective of, and concerned about, his fiancé and then showed himself a strong and faithful man as he did what God said to do and married the pregnant Mary. Then a little while later there are the shepherds who nearly have a heart attack when the angel wakes them up with the news of Jesus’ birth. They start their part in the story terrified but finish it filled with great joy and unable to stop talking about all the things they’d heard and seen! And then there’s King Herod who is threatened by the news of this new king and in his anger and insecurity tries hard to make this problem go away. Read the story in full and you’ll find even more – a whole spectrum of emotions in this news of baby Jesus’ birth.
Christmas can be a bit like that for many of us too, can’t it? It’s a time that as a society we look forward to and celebrate. But look a little closer and you’ll also see a whole range of emotions present in ourselves and those around us: happiness, excitement, joy – yes. But, also loneliness, stress, frustration, hurt, impatience, grief, and even anger – a whole spectrum of emotions which can rise fresh to the surface over the festive season.
May I say to you if Christmas is a hard time for you for whatever reason, please know you are not alone. Please know that you don’t need to fake it or pretend. Please know it’s OK to admit you’re not OK and to reach out for help from a trusted person.
And can I also gently point you to the good news that is offered to all people at Christmas. For it’s precisely because God saw his creation hurting that he has entered into it to make it new. It’s because his heart broke as he witnessed our brokenness that he came to restore and repair and rescue. It’s because he so loves this world that he sent his Son to be its Saviour and forever King. There is every emotion in the Christmas story, and into all this mixed messiness God has come to live with us: that’s why Christmas is good news!
May the good news of Christmas renew in you a deep and lasting joy at the end of this challenging year. God bless you and keep you this Christmas and I look forward to being with you again next year!
Rev Karen Reid
Girton Chaplain