A Quiet Christmas

“How was your Christmas?” I once asked a friend who had moved away. 

"It was quiet,” she answered softly.

But I knew her use of "quiet" was her way of saying her Christmas was a lonely one.     
 
Many people feel alone during the holidays. They might live far from family and unable to visit. Others long for the way Christmas used to be or miss loved ones who are no longer with them. Some don't see their family due to strained or broken relationships.   

Christmas can be overwhelming, but when we feel this way, there are a couple of questions we can ask ourselves: 1) Are we being realistic about what to expect? (life isn't perfect). 2). Are our perceptions clouded by worldly expectations that sap us of time, energy, or money, leading us away from what is spiritual?    

For just a moment, tuck the present moment away. Imagine what it would have been like for Mary and Joseph to make the difficult journey to Bethlehem. It would have been a slow journey (even with the use of a donkey), and not easy for Mary who was expecting. Arriving in Bethlehem, and likely weary from traveling, they expected to find a place to stay, but the inns were full and had no room for them.  

How disappointed they must have felt! They were also far from  the comfort of their own home. Even though Joseph was said to have relatives in Bethlehem, for whatever reason, there was no place for Mary and Joseph to stay (despite Mary's condition). We may wonder if they felt alone because of this?   

Finally, one innkeeper offered them a stable. Imagine trying to get comfortable in a place where animals resided—a far cry from the comfort of a room at an inn. However, the stable provided shelter—and hay for the manger that would be used as a bed for the baby Jesus.      

That night, which we think of as the “first Christmas,” was likely a quiet one. In the stillness, sans crowds, advertisement or fanfare, the Christ child was born in a stable. The impact of his birth has been exceedingly far-reaching: here we are, over two thousand years following Jesus' birth, celebrating Him this Christmas season!    

May your Christmas be one of celebration for God's Gift of Salvation to you, to me, and the world: 
the gift of Jesus Christ.  

Merry Christmas!

                                                                            ><>><>><>><>              
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." - Luke 2:11-12.

*If feelings of sadness, loneliness, or depression are prolonged or interfere with your daily living, don't be afraid to seek professional help. 
*If you are in need of prayer, contact me, and I will pray for you.
 
Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com

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