The turkey is cooked and nearly gone. The wreaths of gold and brown have been taken down and replaced with red and green. The outdoor lights are glowing and the artificial Christmas trees are up and decorated. The flurry of Black Friday is replaced by Cyber Monday. Calendars have turned to December. The nativity scenes are in place and the lawns (in Iowa, at least) are coated with a plentiful blanket of snow. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Or not.
Christmas can be a difficult season. I think of those who have lost a loved one since last Christmas, especially. The "firsts" are hard. It is challenging to see everyone else in such a joyful mood when inside your heart is breaking.
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel," (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).
God's promise is hope.
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned," (Isaiah 9:2 NIV).
Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah proclaimed hope was coming. A virgin will conceive! A Son will be born, coming in the physical presence of baby Jesus. A child will be our Deliverer. The Messiah. Immanuel.
Mighty God, we enter this season with hope. Even when our hearts are breaking, we see Your Light coming. We have hope. Fill us with Your Great Light and lift our spirits as we anticipate the coming of baby Jesus, once again. Remind us of what is truly important this Christmas: Your Son. We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.
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