While many scramble to conquer the chaos, yet warm with excitement anticipating celebrations of the Christmas season, sometimes an opposite scenario befalls us. Life has dealt a blow and nothing is normal. The season drags by, filled with pain and loneliness. Uncertainty and dread are our companions. We hear no echo of laughter. Carols have lost their warmth and sparkling lights mock the darkness swirling around us. Numbness escorts us to gatherings. Fear replaces peace. Sorrow deadens joy.

When all is cut away…

     -the glitter and frills, gifts and gatherings, traditions and celebrations;

     -when an empty place at the table represents a suffering loved one or a
cavernous hole in our life;

     -when our dreams hang tattered and dripping, shredded remnants after a
powerful storm crashed through; 

     -when relationships once bringing fulfillment, love and a safe place have been
broken, stolen, or fade into nothingness; 

     -when circumstances cause our security to crumble; 

     -when all of our earthly hopes and dreams dissipate, our emotions decimated,
our cores shaken,
                                                                           …what remains of Christmas?

Tho all appears stripped away, the heart of Christmas still pulses with vibrant life. The joy of Christmas may have changed its hue, but not its truth. The glory-filled, power-packed story still draws us to One shining Hope.

For the Savior has come into our darkness. 

He came knowing all that would transpire…

     -that He, the Creator, would be mocked by His created; 

     -that He, the Son of God, would lay His life down as the Lamb of God; 

     -that He, the magnificent, warrior-King would allow His
          hands to be bound, His flesh to be whipped; 

     -that this One who had existed as a glorious, eternal being would limit
          Himself to flesh and time and suffer the great humiliation and
          agony of crucifixion. And, finally, death. 

Yet still, He came. Because He knew the bonds of death would be broken in victorious resurrection. And the door would be open for those He loves, and who love Him, to share life intimately together.

As the manger stands empty, so too the cross and the tomb. Our glorious Savior, the Lord of lords and king of Kings lives and reigns forever.

All hope and joy lie in the Babe, born in that stable so many years ago. As we bend our knee to Him, in our dark and silent night, we hold tight to the truth of who He is. Our Savior. Our Redeemer. Our Friend.  Experiencing a pain-filled season, we grab hold of the hope, not just of eternal life with Him in a realm of peace, light and joy; but, that He is in our present, and He is with us every moment (Emmanuel, God with us). This message stands firm. This story brings hope to our hurting hearts. What remains of Christmas in our hard? Jesus. God with us. Our salvation has come. Hallelujah!

And now, to each one, in every circumstance, may the Christ of Christmas bring light into your heart. May His peace, passing all understanding, both surround you and abide within you. May the joy of knowing Him and experiencing all the lasting, eternal treasures He offers, spark the flame of hope within you until it is once again, a brilliant light to guide you and keep you until we are all at home together, with Him forever. Amen.

(Thank you for reading. Time is such a valuable possession, and that you spend moments here is a priceless treasure to me. I look forward to discovering more Treasures in the Hard with you next year.) 

Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash