Our family is one that typically does not like tradition. We would rather talk about plans for the future than reminisce about the past. We like trying new things over repeating the old… except when it comes to Christmas!
But this Christmas is so weird. Every time we think of the things we love to do at Christmas, we hear, “Wait, you can’t do that this year.” And so we get disappointed, frustrated, and feel like somehow we are going to miss Christmas because we might not be able to celebrate in the same ways.
I confess, I was feeling a little sorry for myself this week. I was missing the dinners I usually get to host, the family coming in, and the big celebration that we host at our church. I was disappointed. But then Jesus reminded me…
Romans 5:3-5 says: “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and this hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
This hope that we are celebrating, the coming of OUR JESUS and the pouring of the love of God into our hearts does NOT disappoint. We may find ourselves unable to celebrate in the ways we’ve gotten used to in the past. But each time that happens, let’s take a moment to remember that couple that found themselves celebrating in a very unexpected way.
I’m sure Mary was disappointed that she had no real crib…that she had to travel all day – for days- right up to her delivery…that her family wasn’t around to see this new baby of hers. But instead of dwelling on the disappointment, she pushed in to the hope. “My soul magnifies the Lord,” she said. She chose to focus in on, to make bigger, the glory of her Lord. And that put her disappointment in perspective.
Let’s choose, in these coming weird weeks, to magnify the Lord. To allow the presence of Jesus to put our disappointments in perspective at the feet of our newborn King.
