This Christmas Season

With Christmas just around the corner, it means we are drawing towards the end of the year. And people like me tend to spend time reflecting on what has happened. For some of us, this year has been the toughest we have had so far - we've lost people dear to us, had dreams snatched away or maybe we stood on the sideline and watched our personal world fall apart and crumble into bits because there was nothing we could do to help. And the bruises we got along the way still yet have time for healing. Frankly, this year hasn't been easy.

And so the questions come - how can we think about Christmas, the time for 'joy', and all the things that come along with it, when everything is just so wrong in our lives? How can we find 'peace' when things don't fix themselves that we spend more time behind closed doors crying than resting? How can we feel 'loved' when we feel so alone in our journey of struggles? 

Well, my answer is Christmas. I know, I know - it sounds crazy, and yes we did just lay out those questions above. But here is why I say 'Christmas':

First of all, Christmas puts things into perspective. It tells us to stop for a moment, take a step back and put our focus on something else rather than the chaos we have been dealing with. Then, being Christians, we are reminded of Christ, the reason we celebrate this season. Now, recall the story leading up to Jesus' birth. How lonesome must have Mary felt when she was given this great task that could be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted? How confused was Joseph, to feel as if he had been deceived? Nothing was going right. In fact, everything seemed terribly wrong. Of course, I'm not saying 'comparing to this, we have it a lot better' - no, each individual struggle has its challenges that to compare any of them is quite myopic (and insensitive); I'm mentioning this to say that no matter how chaotic or confused our lives can be, God still shows up. Like how Jesus was born in a manger, God is in the most humbling of humbling situations. It may not be a BAM! moment, but it is enriching and comforting like a baby bore into our arms. 

So, this Christmas season - let us remember the great God who came in the form of a helpless babe, who chose to be human, to live like one of us, to experience the pains and sufferings and at the same time, the joy and wonders. He understands. He is there. And you are not alone.

Have a Merry Christmas!