Christmas is supposed to bring joy, or so the advertisers would like us to believe. If we can find just the right gift for the right person given in the perfect way…if we can get through all the parties and plans and trips to the mall…if we can keep our distance from the irritating friends or relatives…if only everything would go the way I want it to…

But expectations often go unmet this time of year, bringing more heartache than happiness, more sadness than joy. Yesterday, my husband attended a funeral for a coworker who died unexpectedly leaving a wife and two young children. Today, I learned from a friend that her daughter has to put a beloved pet to sleep. And tonight, a long-time friend told me she is certain this is her mom’s last Christmas.

Christmas doesn’t always bring the joy it’s supposed to bring.

Sometimes Christmas raises a lot of painful memories.

If we come from happy childhoods with loving families where forgiveness and laughter were part of our daily lives, Christmas isn’t going to be something we dread. But where strife and anger abide, some will meet with their families wearing a mask to hide feelings that they think are beyond healing. Some won’t show up at all.

I knew a man whose son was so estranged from him that the son would not even come to his father’s funeral despite every attempt made to convince him otherwise. I’ve known families who won’t speak to each other, parents and children at odds, the sharp tone of words flung from bitter lips, resentment taking the place of love when expectations are not met. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Sinful hearts lead to sinful acts, and the result is never pretty. Restoration only comes with heartfelt confession and forgiveness.

But isn’t that why He came?

“This very day in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer (Savior) who is Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 CJB

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, (which means ‘Adonai saves,’) because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 CJB

Jesus didn’t come to give us a joyous Christmas. He came to give us a joyous heart. We find that joy in knowing Him, in loving Him with all we are and have, in knowing the peace that comes with sins forgiven.

This Christmas I pray that Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah, will truly bring you glad tidings of great joy – joy for all who will love Him from the heart.

Selah~