The Christmas Message Nosotros Oftentimes Ignore

This is my husband’s foremost Christmas without his father. This is my family’s 2nd Christmas divided yesteryear unresolved conflict. In my house, at least, about of the “magic” of Christmas has been usurped yesteryear about other not-so-sparkly reality: The flavor of celebration oftentimes serves to magnify our suffering. Perhaps on this solar daytime to a greater extent than than whatever other, nosotros reveal the painful absence of loved ones, long for the way things used to be, or wishing for things, oftentimes intangible, that nosotros don’t have.

Likewise, the nascency of Christ is inseparable from his crucifixion—Jesus’ joyous beginning, the solar daytime that nosotros telephone outcry upward Christmas, is eternally too inextricably tied to his agonizing ending.  Our Savior was born to suffer. In fact, fifty-fifty before he was born, Jesus knew that his Father’s volition for him was rejection too expire (Luke 24:26)—and although Jesus was God inward the flesh, he all the same experienced the really human combat amongst suffering, quest his Father if he powerfulness spare him, simply hours earlier his crucifixion.

Coupling the beauty of Christmas amongst the anguish of the crucifixion is non a message that our civilization of vacation excess encourages. But it’s a reminder I call back nosotros all need: When nosotros were reborn—transformed into children of God through salvation inward Christ Jesus—we too were promised suffering. That’s non the gospel most of us desire to preach or personally embrace—it’s much to a greater extent than attractive to hope a life of prosperity. But allow me tell it again: As followers of Christ, nosotros are called to suffering. (“For God called yous to create good, fifty-fifty if it agency suffering, simply equally Christ suffered for you. He is your example, too yous must follow inward his steps.” – 1 Peter 3:21)

The populace is supposed to abhor us, because we’re professing a perfect God inward an imperfect world—and imperfection cannot stand upward to endure inward the presence of perfection, simply equally darkness cannot coexist amongst light. As children of the almighty, nosotros are non of this world, too then why should it encompass us?

But this isn’t suffering for the sake of suffering. It’s business office of the procedure of sanctification—our travel hither on earth—leading to eventual glorification inward heaven.

Here’s the business office where about of us peculiarly struggle: We are called to non solely endure our suffering, but to please inward it—to meet our suffering equally a symbol of our communion amongst Christ. As the Apostle Paul wrote inward ii Corinthians, “Three dissimilar times I begged the Lord to accept [the thorn inward my side] away. Each fourth dimension he said, ‘My grace is all yous need. My ability industrial plant best inward weakness.’ So straightaway I am glad to boast almost my weaknesses, too then that the ability of Christ tin flaming piece of occupation through me. That’s why I accept pleasance inward my weaknesses, too inward the insults, hardships, persecutions, too troubles that I endure for Christ. For when I am weak, he is strong.”

Did yous choose handgrip of that? Our struggles are an chance to allow Christ bear us—to convey us humbly earlier him, relying non on our ain strength, but instead his inexhaustible supply. It’s too a withdraw a chance to percentage inward Christ’s death, too eventually, to witness his glory on the throne. So, yes, Christmas is a reminder of Christ’s nascency too his death, but it’s too a reminder of the redemption we’re offered because of both—and that is the ultimate Christmas gift.