“How can this be?” – Luke 1:34
They say
that stress is caused when reality doesn’t line up with our expectations.
The loss of
a loved one, an illness, any other hardship, or even the weather might be
affecting your preparations and plans for Christmas this year. Maybe this
Christmas feels different; it’s different from how you imagined it, and you
don’t like it. You want the hurt to go away, you want to feel better, and you
want things to go back to ‘normal.’
Mary was
making plans to start her life with Joseph when the angel Gabriel came to her
and everything changed. Giving her fiat to
Gabriel meant letting go of her own plans and trusting God and His love for her.
The reality of what her future held was different from what her expectations
had been. She had to trust that God’s plan was still going to let them experience
His love, joy, and peace.
God’s plan
for you is to experience His love, joy,
and peace, too.
“’For I know well the plans I have in
mind for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for your welfare and not for woe, to
give you a future of hope.’”
–Jeremiah 29:11
What does
this look like?
Christ shows
His love for you in the kindness and comforting words of the people around you.
If you didn’t get around to your usual baking, His joy will reach you when you
appreciate simple Christmas chocolates or store-bought cookies. Whether they’re
humble or elaborate, you can experience His joy through decorations, gifts
exchanged, and meals shared. His peace will touch your heart when you cherish the
time together with your loved ones, even if you’re missing someone.
Letting go
of our expectations and adjusting our thinking to embrace what we have frees us
to find Christ’s peace and even His joy in the new circumstances. This
Christmas can be different and still be wonderful.
Jesus was
born in a humble stall, shared with smelly animals. He slept in a manger – a
food trough. No plush hotel, no clean medical facility, no crib with a soft
mattress. He wanted to show us that none of those externals matter. What
matters is that Christ is here with you and His love never changes.
Let go of
your external expectations. Welcome Christ – welcome Love – into your heart. His
Love is all around you.
Merry
Christmas!
“Lord, let me seek out
Your love, joy, and peace this Christmas.”
Thank you for
reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell
Comments are always welcome!
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