We are only a short two weeks out from Christmas 2020 and I’ve found myself battling the “blues”.  Not the Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” theme, just down, disheartened and struggling with my emotions.  My Mom passed away on December 22, 2017 and although three years have passed, the dull ache of not spending this special time of year with her is a poignant reminder that she is not here.  Many others will be experiencing grief of a loved one that will not be with them at Christmas this year.

I’ve had piano students come to their piano lessons with a similar sentiment…”I’m just not happy.  I can’t seem to get motivated.  I love playing Christmas music, but this year since we aren’t doing a piano recital because of Covid-19, I have nothing to play towards.”  It saddens my heart that the circumstances of 2020 have wearied our hearts.

Just this past week, I finished reading the book of Luke in the New Testament.  As a child, I had Luke 2:1-7 committed to memory from all the children’s programs I was involved in.  But now as an adult and a mother, I read these verses with a little more depth of understanding.  This wasn’t an easy time for Mary and Joseph.  An unwed mother, finally married, almost ready to give birth, economic challenges, travel restrictions (I mean, seriously…riding on a donkey!!) and political unrest.  Sound familiar?

But I want to focus on Mary for a moment.  Not as the Mother of Jesus, but as a mother-full stop.  She was young, possibly between the ages of 13-18, dealing with all of these issues and yet, in complete humility, choose to obey God’s declaration on her life.  It wasn’t easy.  She dealt with severe social issues as an unwed mother (still had not consummated her marriage to Joseph so legally still just engaged (Luke 2:5-6).  There wasn’t much for her to be excited about in this upcoming birth…EXCEPT by the assurance given to her by the Angel of the Lord in Luke 1:28-37.

WE have the same assurances given to us, God-breathed, in the Scriptures.  As we face uncertainty, grief, melancholy, financial challenges, job changes, life changes, or whatever, we can rest in God’s Word and God’s WORD (Jesus Christ) that we can find Joy, Peace, and Comfort in our circumstances.  I love how with all that was going on in Mary’s world, she took all of it and “pondered” (or treasured) them in her heart (Luke 2:19).  She didn’t run to Facebook and air her grievances or to Instagram to #unwedmotheroftheMessiah or blame Joseph for his first “vehicle” not being one of style.  She treasured the experiences, mulled them over in her heart and praised God for what He was doing in her life and allowing her to be a vessel used for His purpose.

So my encouragement for you today, my friend, as we journey the days into the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, treasure these days, moments, memories, and challenges…these are all used to shape and mold us into vessels God is designing to be used for His purpose.  Joy?  Choose to be joy-filled and share with others who are struggling.  Peace?  Pray for the peace that passes all understanding and stop dwelling on the “what if’s” or “should have been’s”.  Comfort?  God has experienced the ultimate grief in the death of His only Son…that was born at this time of year to bring comfort to the world.  God will comfort you.  Ask Him to wrap His loving arms around you as you grieve the loss of someone dear.

Enter into this season of celebration treasuring all that God has brought you through this year, all the blessings He has given to you, and the ultimate gift that once hung on a tree-the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.”  Luke 2:19