December 26

It’s the hubbub of the season. We can easily get caught up in the lights, the trees, the presents given or received, the yummy food and time with family. We look forward to it almost all year round. But what happens when December 26 comes? All the excitement is over, and discontentment can settle in.

When we’re kids, we play with the toys we were given for a few days and then they lose their novelty. As adults we can be tired from all the cooking, baking, hosting, and party going. Maybe Christmas is a difficult time. You’ve lost a loved one, God has you in a season of singleness, or you’re far from family.

It’s hard to do, especially with how commercialized Christmas has become. But we have to try to keep Jesus at the center of our hearts. Without Him, December 25 would just be another day on the calendar. With Him, He can be our comfort in our grief, our purpose in our waiting, and joy when we’re feeling lonely. This is true not just in the month of December. It’s true all year long, especially in our valley moments.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6