A friend of mine is in a dark place this Christmas. As we talked about not wanting to have to “put on the jingle bells” and pretend smiles, I was reminded again that the first Christmas was not about shopping, decorations, or even loving family get-togethers. That first Christmas, Jesus entered the darkness of a world long-waiting, people asking if they’d been forgotten, wondering if help would ever come. It was so encouraging for us to remember this. Instead of angst about the Christmas spirit being lacking and lusterless, it’s comforting to know that Jesus comes to us in our dark places as well.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2