Tis the Season to Be Jolly: Or Is It?
Rex Yancey
Luke 2:8-14
We often sing at Christmas, ''Tis the season to be jolly.'' However, Christmas is not always a happy season for many. One doctor wrote: ''There's nothing like the festive season to force you to face the fact that life isn't always as joyful and triumphant as we are led to believe.
Loneliness is exacerbated for single people during this time of year. It can be an isolating time. But even if you are surrounded by family and friends, this time of the year can bring more than its fair share of stress, noise, anxiety and squabbles. Add this to long-standing money worries, family conflicts, job problems or bereavement, and it's no wonder that calls to counselors about depression and suicide rise by nearly ten percent during this festive season.
45% of respondents to a survey said they dread Christmas. So, Christmas is not ''the most wonderful time of the year'' for everyone. It is a sad and depressing time for many.
I understand why Christmas can be a difficult and depressing time for many. However, I do believe it is a time to be jolly. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate regardless of your circumstances is in life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ''In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.''
We need to take a realistic look at the first Christmas to get a perspective as to how we are to celebrate Christmas today.
1. CHRISTMAS SPEAKS TO THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE.
1. Joseph and Mary experienced difficult times as a family,
God had revealed himself to Mary. Although the Messiah had been prophesied for centuries, I am sure she was flabbergasted that the Messiah would be born in her time and that she would be the one to bear him.
For whatever reason, God did not reveal this to Mary and Joseph at the same time. Maybe he was testing Joseph.
I read about a soldier who had been away from his wife for two years fighting a war. When he finally retu ...
Rex Yancey
Luke 2:8-14
We often sing at Christmas, ''Tis the season to be jolly.'' However, Christmas is not always a happy season for many. One doctor wrote: ''There's nothing like the festive season to force you to face the fact that life isn't always as joyful and triumphant as we are led to believe.
Loneliness is exacerbated for single people during this time of year. It can be an isolating time. But even if you are surrounded by family and friends, this time of the year can bring more than its fair share of stress, noise, anxiety and squabbles. Add this to long-standing money worries, family conflicts, job problems or bereavement, and it's no wonder that calls to counselors about depression and suicide rise by nearly ten percent during this festive season.
45% of respondents to a survey said they dread Christmas. So, Christmas is not ''the most wonderful time of the year'' for everyone. It is a sad and depressing time for many.
I understand why Christmas can be a difficult and depressing time for many. However, I do believe it is a time to be jolly. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate regardless of your circumstances is in life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ''In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.''
We need to take a realistic look at the first Christmas to get a perspective as to how we are to celebrate Christmas today.
1. CHRISTMAS SPEAKS TO THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE.
1. Joseph and Mary experienced difficult times as a family,
God had revealed himself to Mary. Although the Messiah had been prophesied for centuries, I am sure she was flabbergasted that the Messiah would be born in her time and that she would be the one to bear him.
For whatever reason, God did not reveal this to Mary and Joseph at the same time. Maybe he was testing Joseph.
I read about a soldier who had been away from his wife for two years fighting a war. When he finally retu ...
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