Christmas, for many, is not the happiest time of the year. Grief, chaos, or materialism (wishing you could buy more stuff for loved ones) can press in to distract us from the fulfilled promise that Christmas is. I have two remedies. 

1)    Remember the value of what we have received through the birth (life, crucifixion and resurrection) of Jesus. Our relationship with Him is the "Pearl of Great Price." 

“...the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it.” 
Matthew 13:45-46

Continue to value Him above all else, even as you patiently wait for all that the Kingdom of Heaven will eventually bring (resurrection, order, provision). Think of our current longing as that of children eagerly waiting to unwrap presents under the tree. The gifts are already purchased, wrapped, and waiting. When the time is right, we will unwrap them all and find that God is far more extravagant in His giving then we can ever imagine. 

2)    Help others see true meaning of Christmas by living out Kingdom realities now. 

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Philippians 3:20-21 NLT

We are already in relationship with our loving Father through faith in Jesus. The Spirit of God has been given to us as evidence of what is to come. We can afford to believe, to rejoice, and to love now. We have received extravagant mercy, so we can be merciful. We have unending hope, so we can be hopeful. And we have the Rock to build our life on, so that we are not destined to crumble even if the world around us does.

This Christmas, if you feel the joy being crowded out, remember whose you are. If you are a child of the King, you traded everything for that privilege. More importantly, remember how you are loved. Jesus traded His life on earth, for the joy of knowing you forever. 

Joyfully yours,

~Pastor Chuck