Encouragement for Today

December 25, 2024 Finding Joy in a Complicated Christmas ELIZABETH LAING THOMPSON Lee en español

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 (NIV)

On Christmas night in 2005, I watched my father hold my daughter, his first grandchild, for the first time. Only an hour old, she blinked bright eyes up at him, and his eyes filled with tears. I felt a riot of emotions: transcendent joy, heart-bursting gratitude, and lurking underneath … a shadow of fear. Watching Dad, I couldn’t forget his announcement two nights earlier: “I have cancer.”

We’d spent years praying for our miracle baby, and here on Christmas night, God had given us the greatest gift of our lives. Our joy should have been complete, but a fearful voice kept whispering, This joy is fragile. What if Dad’s not here next Christmas? I couldn’t help but ask God, Tonight of all nights, why can’t we just be happy?

Maybe you know the feeling of a complicated Christmas. For one day, we long to feel peace and to celebrate unhindered — but a chair at Christmas dinner sits empty. Work and finances are overwhelming. A relationship feels distant. We might sing “joy to the world,” but the joy in our world is incomplete.

Two thousand years ago, celestial music — the first Christmas carols — rang out to celebrate Jesus’ birth:

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14, NIV).

Heaven’s delight resounded over fields and flocks, inviting all to celebrate. Meanwhile, an evil king plotted from a crooked throne: When King Herod heard that a Jewish king had been born, he felt threatened and eventually killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-18). The heartbreak defies words. Jesus was born into the mess of a world gone mad, a world that desperately needed Him to save it.

Was the first Christmas a perfect day, free of sin and sorrow? No.
But was it still a day of astounding joy? Yes.

Angels interrupted a sleepy night to throw a surprise party with shepherds. God ushered happiness into a humble stable and a young couple’s arms. He surprised them with joy — just as He does for us.

No Christmas is ever perfect, but if we watch closely, we can catch God’s joy breaking through: in knee hugs from exuberant toddlers, in silly dances in the kitchen while cooking Christmas dinner, in sentimental tears as we retell cherished stories.

When Jesus was born, joy broke through. Heaven’s light surprised our dark world. For a few sparkling moments, shepherds saw beyond the veil — past the imperfection of the here and now — glimpsing heaven’s glory and hearing heaven’s songs.

Because of that day, we can stand with the shepherds and sing with the angels. We can sing whether today feels like a miracle, a mess, or a muddle of both. We can sing because God’s light overcomes darkness, and His joy breaks through.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to our imperfect world. Help us embrace Your joy even when life is complicated. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Elizabeth’s book When God Says, “Wait” helps you navigate confusing and complicated times with a faithful perspective. This book is about the journey of waiting, the space between answers, and the people we become while we live there.

ENGAGE

Elizabeth is passionate about helping other women find hope in heartache. She would love to connect through her newsletter and on Instagram!

FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (NIV).

John 15:10-12, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (NIV).

What helps you find joy even when life is complicated or imperfect? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. All rights reserved.