So, it’s Christmas night. The day has passed, the carols have been sung, the hugs goodbye have been given, and the unwrapped presents sit scattered around the floor, their shiny wrappings thrown away. And perhaps we feel unwrapped – exposed, vulnerable, no longer able to hide behind golden angels and decorative bows. Perhaps we are strained, restless, and feel like we’ve handled too much.
The thing is, Christmas and the New Year are hard for some of us. More energy is put into feigning a smile than finding the source for one, because how can we possibly find a time quiet enough, slow enough, to fill ourselves with the best joy there is? It’s all haste, the holidays, and so we are exhausted from pulling from our limited supplies, because the endless supply feels out of reach.
And here’s the truth you need to hear.
It’s okay.
It’s okay because pain is real. The memories happened. The world is still broken. The promise hasn’t changed: “In this world you will have trouble.”
But neither has this: “I have overcome the world.”
This quiet night over 2000 years ago, an eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent God came down as a temporal, humble, tiny baby, so He could come close to you and say…
“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31 ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 ESV)
You are of infinite value. You have a place to find rest. You have His joy available to you.
So don’t worry about putting up a front. Don’t look at this day and see what you’re “supposed” to be or feel. Come to the King, loved one. Cry to the Savior who cried on Christmas night. Because He knows the cold, and He knows your pain. And He knows He can give you the joy you seek.
You need only rest this silent night.
Life Has Meaning 