The Christmas Song

 

And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:14-15 ESV).

 

If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, homemade apple cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friend’s houses and services at church. And there is always the hope of being all bundled up on Christmas morning with our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground. In our part of the country that’s not very common, in fact, I have seen a white Christmas only once in my life! More universally common is the scene of our children storming into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because Christmas morning has finally arrived, and they are ready to open presents at 5:00 am!

 

Our thoughts then turn to the inevitable desire to stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer. That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect picture. Something that

breaks our heart. A relationship that ended. A loved one who died prematurely. The betrayal of a friend.

 

Did you know that God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as Him not being in control. No, this is not about His ability but about His sovereignty. While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (cf. John 16:33), but He also promised that He’d calm us during it (cf. John 14:16). So, no matter where we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful. Please remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.