Merry Christmas!

I’ve heard it said often, that this is a Christmas like no other! Loss, difficulty, sickness, stress, simplicity, and calm are just a few words that come to mind. I can think of so many that this Christmas will bring many tears, pain, longing, and grieving. And for others, simplicity, calm, reflection, and peace. No matter where you are on the spectrum, I want us all to focus on one thing: The reason we celebrate today.

Our Savior wasn’t born into money, comfort, surety, or peace. It was chaotic. I can only imagine giving birth while cows are mooing and pigs are oinking! Mazy was sensitive to loud noises the moment she came out of the womb…I can only imagine the stress I would’ve had if I were Mary!

Christ was born into a world where few welcomed him. Where he knew his citizenship was not on this earth. He knew he was sent to die. And He didn’t die so we could be comfortable, at ease, or find peace in this world. He came so we could find eternal peace within the arms of our Savior. And that is not here on this earth.

As we long for the day when we are welcomed into our eternal home (or as Mazy calls it, “turtle home”), may we rest assured that Jesus knows EXACTLY what we are going through. Our hurts, our pain, and even our simplicity this Christmas season. I can’t help but think that maybe this season, more than others, reflects more of what his birth was like. Chaos all around, yet in that moment, with those few, they celebrated.

So whether we are gathering big or small, may we remember the type of world our Savior was born into. May we not long for what we wished it was like, but celebrate WHY we are at this point in time. To reflect and ponder the birth of a Savior. THE Savior. Nothing in this world has proven to suffice and nothing ever will. So let’s embrace our only hope and our only source of peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

From The Sterks