The holiday season can be a magical time, as many of us gather with our families, eat good food, and exchange gifts to celebrate our Savior’s birth. But for some of us, the holidays also bring other, tougher emotions.
In 2018, one study reported that 88 percent of Americans felt stressed during the holidays. Though the causes vary, most report that stress stemming from grief, loneliness, and financial insecurity.
I’m so grateful this imperfect reality is represented in the Christmas story. Jesus wasn’t born into a flawless world; He was born into a flawed world full of hurt, pain, and suffering. That’s why He came! So if you’re having to choose joy this holiday season, know you’re not alone. That first Christmas, many of our most-loved nativity characters had to do the same—especially the shepherds.
Shepherding was a lowly job, which meant they didn’t have much. They were probably lonely, as their job kept them out in the fields, away from their communities for long periods of time. Shepherding was also a notoriously sinful profession in Israel, so the lack of morals had likely induced unwanted, unnecessary pain and regret into their lives.
Luke 2:8-14 tells us that when the angels appeared to announce Jesus’ birth, the shepherds were terrified. The angel calmed their fears, saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Then, many angels appeared, praising God.
Notice: the angel didn’t arrive to point out the shepherds’ sin, or to point to their stressful situations. The angel arrived to unveil the greatest answer to every problem the shepherds had—Jesus! Then and now, He is the reason for our celebration. The angel told the shepherds that seeking Jesus, even amidst their struggles, would bring them great joy.
How incredible that this same joy is available to all of us! On that first Christmas, the shepherds chose to look beyond their circumstances to their Savior, and they were filled with the great joy they’d been promised. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul tells us how we can experience the same. He says to, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Friend, I don’t know what emotions you might be dealing with this holiday season. But I encourage you to first give yourself grace to experience them. It’s okay to be human, because you’re not your Savior!
Then, I urge you not to stay stuck in those emotions. Look up and remind yourself that Christmas is a time to celebrate your redemption. This holiday season and beyond, you can choose to focus on your Savior, and let Him fill you with great joy!
